ROCHESTER, N.Y. — With several volunteers already sent out to areas in need, the American Red Cross of Western New York is still looking to recruit more people willing to help out. 

What You Need To Know

  • 1,400 Red Cross disaster workers already on the ground, with more expected this week

  • The Red Cross estimates that Helene likely destroyed up to 10,000 homes based on initial assessments, and that nearly 15 million people were without power as of September 27

  • With partners, the Red Cross has opened or supported hundreds of shelters for thousands of individuals who have evacuated their homes

  • Consequently, they're mounting significant feeding missions in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina aiming at feeding more than 20,000 meals per day in each state

It's been days since Hurricanes Helene and Milton have left a trail of devastation across areas like Florida and North Carolina.

“When Milton first made landfall on Wednesday, that initial night, there were 83,000 people in shelters,” American Red Cross of Western New York Director of Communications Michael Tedesco said. “We still have more than 10,000 people in shelters just in Florida alone. And there remain some in North Carolina and Georgia. So the needs are going to persist for a long time.”

With natural disasters becoming more frequent and intense, the American Red Cross of Western New York is urgently calling for volunteers to help support disaster relief efforts.

Being on the ground during a crucial time has been a non-stop effort providing shelter, food and most importantly assistance.

“We right now have about 2,000 volunteers within our region, but not all of those volunteers are trained in disaster response,” Tedesco said. “So we're looking for more disaster volunteers. We would like volunteers who are willing to do anything. But right now, the greatest need is disaster.”

Expecting to join a contingent of more than 1,400 Red Cross disaster workers already on site, they hope the training session will open the door for others to continue to be a helping hand. 

“Our gratitude for the people who've turned out today in all three chapters, we had a great response in a very short amount of time,” Tedesco said. “At some point, if this is a decision they decide to follow through with after today, you know, they may be deployed within the next couple of months.”

The Western New York volunteer assignments include:

  • 7 volunteers deployed to northern Florida

  • 3 volunteers deployed to Georgia

  • 2 volunteers deployed to North Carolina

Recruiting first time volunteers like Martha Hanley, eager to support its survivors.

“It's been a family thing,” volunteer Martha Hanley said. “We have sisters, brothers and others that are already in disaster training and they go to disasters. And then what's been happening in North Carolina and Florida is wanting to help. I appreciate the Red Cross and being able to do this in such a timely manner because I wanted to do it. So when I heard about the boot camp, my sister told me about it and I said, Oh, let's do it.”

The American Red Cross hopes its participants will receive all necessary training on site and leave with the ability to deploy as a shelter volunteer. 

“Hopefully, this reaffirms their feelings that they already have,” Tedesco said said. “Just from the fact that they're here. So I think it's a chance for them to learn what the Red Cross does in more detail and see if they're a right fit for the organization.”

Those interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer and helping a neighbor in need can visit www.redcross.org/volunteertoday or contact the local office at RecruitWNY@gmail.com.