COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Hurricane Helene left a wake of destruction across the southern United States last week and cleanup efforts continue.
Dozens of people from central Ohio are already down in the southeast helping out, but it’s going to take a lot of time and manpower to help the areas affected by the hurricane.
The Red Cross of Central and Southern Ohio Region is currently recruiting volunteers who are willing to travel and commit to a two-week deployment.
Don Hawkins with the Red Cross of Central and Southern Ohio said the organization is sending more people down to affected areas almost daily.
“We will be down there for as long as it takes to help these folks, to let them know they’re not alone, but you individually, two weeks, that’s all we’re going to ask of you,” Hawkins said.
Before volunteers are deployed, Hawkins said they’ll have to learn the basics.
“Our amazing volunteer services staff is prepared to administer the trainings necessary to get them ready to go deployed and get them down there pretty quickly so they can go make an immediate impact in the lives of those who have been impacted by the storm,” he said.
No kind of specialized experience is needed to help out. Many of the volunteer opportunities following Hurricane Helene are helping out in Red Cross shelters, handing out hot meals and talking to the people affected by the storm.
“It’s offering them a friendly ear and a friendly face and to know that they’re not going through this alone,” Hawkins said.
If you can’t drop everything for two weeks and head down to the southeast to help, Hawkins said blood donations are also in high demand after many blood drives were canceled because of the hurricane.
When tornadoes struck the Indian Lake community earlier this year, Hawkins said the Red Cross deployed people to the area. He said this is our chance to pay it forward.
“We’re all in this together to make sure that no community is left alone whenever tragedy strikes,” he said.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities or apply to be a volunteer, click here.
If you are interested in giving blood at a local drive, click here.
And if you want to donate money to help people affected by the hurricane, click here.
