Maine Needs Disaster Response Volunteers

Maine can use more disaster volunteers, so an informational meeting will be held this week.

Being a disaster volunteer can involve a variety of duties, and how much time you dedicate to it is really up to you. Volunteers respond to everything from local home fires or flooding issues, to helping set up warming and cooling centers in extreme weather. But it can also mean flying off to other locations to help with wildfire relief, hurricane relief, and more. You're never obligated to go, but most volunteers find that, when the need is there, they want to help.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer is invited to attend informational sessions on Wednesday, August 29th and Tuesday, September 18th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Red Cross Bangor office, 145 Exchange Street.

Carolyn King, Executive Director of the Northern and Eastern Maine Chapter said in a media release, 'It's the power of volunteers that makes it possible for the Red Cross to help so many people in our community who are facing emergencies."

In the past fiscal year, Red Cross Disaster Volunteers responded to 92 disasters in the Northern and Eastern Maine Chapter, assisted 288 people affected by home fires and other disasters and assisted 96 service members, veterans, or their families. To learn more, log onto the Maine Red Cross website or call 941-2903, extension 115.