Red Cross offers storm assistance
July 3, 2012 ·
In many communities the Red Cross is offering overnight shelter, day time cooling stations, bagged ice and bottled water for those without electricity and is preparing to meet demands for food and shelter for the elderly.
Becky Howard, regional chief development officer, said
requests are coming in for these services so a plan should be finalized in the
next two days.
“It may be in the form of opening up a shelter and kitchens
at the shelter or it may be creating kitchens off site and delivering meals to
organizations or community centers or neighborhoods,” Howard said. “We’re still
working on that plan right now.”
Howard said the Red Cross set up a command center in Parkersburg
where it is assessing needs and assisting with shelter set-ups.
“We have 16 Red Cross or Red Cross supported overnight
shelters that are currently open statewide,” she said. “Since last Friday we’ve
housed over 854 overnight stays.”
Howard said daytime cooling stations are set up throughout
the state and the Red Cross is currently ramping up volunteer efforts. She asks
that anyone interested in volunteering contact the Charleston
office.”
The Red Cross has also partnered with local organizations
and businesses in some communities to offer ice and water distribution centers.
“Currently we’re housed in Clarksburg,
Lewisburg, Sutton, in Parkersburg
and Weirton as well as we have
partnerships with Martin’s grocery store in Martinsburg,” Howard said.
Howard says the Red Cross is expecting to offer services
wherever they’re needed at least through the rest of the week.
Click the link to hear more with Becky Howard from the Red
Cross.