Red Cross Honors Volunteers During National Volunteer Week

COLUMBUS, MISS. (WCBI) — This National Volunteer Week, April 6 – 12, the American Red Cross Northeast Mississippi Chapter is celebrating its volunteers and the work they do in the community at a special volunteer appreciation event. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 9 from 12-2 p.m. at the Red Cross office located at 501 7th Street North, Suite B in Columbus, Miss.

Nearly 1,900 volunteers serve with the Mississippi Red Cross. Nationally, the Red Cross has nearly 400,000 volunteers, which represent more than 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce.

“Our volunteers respond to house fires, teach lifesaving skills, support our military members in the community and much more,” said Patty Tucker, Northeast Mississippi Chapter executive. “They help us fulfill our lifesaving mission every day and help us prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.”

In 2013, Red Cross volunteers responded to 3,035 disasters in Mississippi, primarily single-family and apartment fires. They helped meet the emergency needs of the families including a comfortable place to stay, hot meals, safe drinking water, new clothing, and replacement medicines and eyeglasses. They trained 12,707 people in lifesaving skills.

“Our volunteers have generously donated their time in service to others through the Red Cross. Now it’s our turn to give back to our wonderful volunteers who have given so much,” said Cynthia Armstrong, regional volunteer manager.

To become part of the lifesaving efforts of the Red Cross and learn more about volunteer opportunities, go to http://www.redcross.org/mississippi or call 662-328-5710.

People who might want to volunteer when a disaster strikes this community should download the Team Red Cross app. Through the free app, people can sign up to help, get an overview on basic tasks and receive notifications about local Red Cross volunteer opportunities.