Charleston, Nov. 1, 2012 — Areas of West Virginia are still without power and food supplies are running low. The American Red Cross is sending crews in Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) to provide mobile feeding for communities in Boone, Nicholas and Tucker counties. The ERVs will have food and water for individuals and families and will assess the needs of the communities recovering from the storm. The Red Cross continues to work with volunteer partner agencies, such as the Dream Center, FEMA AmeriCorps, Southern Baptist Convention, World Vision, and others who have offered assistance to hard hit communities.
Volunteer trainings are available this week to allow individuals to assist in their home communities. The Red Cross is mobilizing volunteers from all over the country and many additional volunteers are needed. The Red Cross is asking people to consider training now to help locally in a shelter or contact your local Red Cross office to see if you can assist in another way.
Fundamentals of Sheltering training workshops (video courses) will be held in four locations in the state. This is a short course on sheltering designed for community partners and spontaneous volunteers who want to help right away.
Charleston (contact Heather Foster 304-539-1056):
Thursday (11/1), 1:30 pm-4:30pm
Volunteer West Virginia
710 Central Avenue, Charleston, WV 25302
Beckley (contact Heather Foster 304-539-1056):
Thursday (11/1), 1:30-4:30pm
200 Industrial Drive
Beckley, WV 25801
Clarksburg (contact Maria Kendall 304-415-9607):
Thursday (11/1), 5pm-8pm
718 W. Pike Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Morgantown (contact Maria Kendall 304-415-9607):
Friday (11/2), 1pm-4pm
1299 Pineview Drive, Suite 300
Morgantown, WV 26505
In West Virginia, volunteers are working to address the needs of each county and make sure that individuals and families are safe. To find a Red Cross shelter, people can download the Red Cross Hurricane app, visit the Red Cross website, www.redcross.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is working with its partners to meet the immediate needs of the community. Officials have been in constant communication with each county's Emergency Operations Center, as well as working with folks in the State Emergency Operations Center.
