Eclectic Me

Why can’t I help?

25 May 2011 16 Comments

by girlnigel in Random Ramblings Tags: FEMA, Joplin, Red Cross, Social Media, Volunteer

I am a Red Cross Volunteer. I have been working with the Greater Ozarks Chapter  for the last 5 years as a trained office assistant. I volunteer a few hours here and there to answer phones or add info to the database for the Disaster Services office in Springfield, MO. Very recently I found myself promoted into the social media world of Twitter as a part time voice behind @OzarksRedCross. I really dig social media, I understand the concept and I work from home so I can run it in the background and keep an eye on things from time to time.

During the last few days we have found ourselves smack dab in the middle of a really nasty disaster with the tornado that hit our neighbors in Joplin and I have found myself volunteering more full time than just a side-thing. Though it might seem small to me, I’m glad it’s something I can do to help; passing information along on the social media highway has become one of the fastest ways to communicate. It can make things happen…quickly.

I want to share with you something that is hitting me pretty hard. I am seeing so many people who want to physically help or who want to give items and the compassion for our neighbors makes me proud to be part of this community. It’s amazing to see! It’s also very hard to tell people that they need to contact the correct agencies before they just make that donation or jump in a car and drive the few miles over to help. I would never for a minute want to sound ungrateful for the outpouring of help that is incoming during a time of need. So here is my answer to the question I have seen at least once a day. Why can’t I help?

You can. The need is not going to end this week, next week, or even next month. The need won’t even end this year. I speak not only to this disaster, but to others as well. You can help and all it takes is being prepared and being patient. I have a badge with an ID number that says I have been through the classes and systems to become a Red Cross Volunteer. I am only trained in the administration areas, but they will train you in other areas. There are classes that happen on a regular basis so that when a disaster occurs, there is a Disaster Action Team ready to deploy. These people are trained to be first on scene and set up shelters. There is a very specific set of needs that are met by The Red Cross, as you can see on the American Red Cross website. If you are ready, you will be called based on your area of training and the needs to be met. I encourage you all to contact your local chapter and find out how you can become Red Cross ready!

So if you are not affiliated with an agency currently and you want to help, here is where the patience comes in. Speaking specifically to the need in Joplin, this is going to be a long term recovery project. The community will still need you next week or the week after. The agencies that organize the help can be found all over the internet, and those agencies are asking that you contact them and wait to be called. One of the best resources I have found is from FEMA, as it is really clear cut and easy to understand.

Do not be discouraged if you don’t get a call right away. There will be plenty to do. In the meantime if you are willing and able to do one thing, make a donation. Find a legitimate source to give even $10.00 and know that you helped make a difference. Click here to donate to disaster relief with Ozarks Red Cross.