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Disaster Relief Volunteers Needed To Help Victims of Hurricanes Laura and Sally

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross of Southern Missouri is looking for disaster relief volunteers.

The organization’s executive director, Stacy Burks, said they need volunteers willing to travel to areas of the U.S. that are being impacted by storms.

"We're looking for volunteers who are willing to step up and help folks who are still fighting to recover from Hurricane Laura as well as looking to the Gulf and Hurricane Sally," said Burks.

Hurricane Sally is expected to make landfall in Louisiana late Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Those who sign up to help on the Gulf Coast will go through up to six hours of virtual training.  They could be asked to deploy for 14 days and to work eight to 12-hour shifts.  The Red Cross primarily needs volunteers to work in shelters, but there might be other areas where volunteers would serve, too. 

Burks said potential volunteers should check with their healthcare providers to determine if they should deploy during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Volunteers will be provided with PPE, according to Burks, and there will be other precautions in place to help protect them from COVID-19.

"Everything from daily healthcare checks in terms of temperature checks, checking people from other symptoms, those types of things,  as well as requirements to wear masks and to stay socially distanced from individuals," said Burks.

To learn more about volunteering, go to redcross.org/volunteertoday.  Monetary donations to help with relief efforts are also needed.  To donate $10, text “Laura” to 90999.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.