By JESSE DAVIS
The Elkhart County branch of the American Red Cross already has 23 volunteers spread out between Texas, Louisiana and Florida to aid in hurricane relief, with six more preparing to go. The first group of volunteers was deployed in Louisiana on Aug. 28, before Gustav made landfall on the Gulf Coast.
The branch created a “boot camp” training program in response to Hurricane Katrina in order to better and more quickly prepare volunteers. The program includes basic classes for deployment, followed by specialized classes in an area chosen by the volunteer, including feeding, sheltering and case work. Volunteers must also complete a background check and some paperwork to be eligible to participate.
The organization’s biggest current need is more volunteers.
“Even though we have a lot of volunteers, they’re all separated out into different states and sections,” Director of Programs and Services Deb Moore said.
The three-day boot camps have been scheduled throughout the year, but the Red Cross is holding an extra camp running Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of this week from 6 to 10 p.m. Participants must attend all three days.
