Latest News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Mary Miller
Marketing and Communications Director
American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter
Work: (503) 528-5633
Mobile: (503) 789-5887
Pager: (503) 940-2019

Red Cross volunteers continue training to help with
hurricane relief efforts and prepare our local community
Volunteers will prepare and serve 400 meals to a homeless shelter

PORTLAND, Ore. – November 12, 2005 – Volunteers who are new to the Red Cross, as well as many experienced ones, are still helping with hurricane relief efforts and getting our local community ready to respond to disaster.

During a two-day class, 20 volunteers learned how to feed large populations and manage kitchen staff in a disaster setting. Today, volunteers will be preparing meals at the Boy Scout Camp Golda at 11288 SE 147th Avenue in Clackamas from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Red Cross volunteers will then serve the meals to residents of the Blanchet House of Hospitality at 340 NW Glisan in Portland.

More than 265 local Red Cross volunteers have been sent down to the Gulf States to date. Each week, more volunteers leave the Portland area and come back with experience that will help our community respond better should an earthquake strike. When they return, many will also respond to local house fires, which not only helps people in need but also provides good training ground for them.

The Oregon Trail Chapter recently received national recognition for training more than 1,500 new volunteers during the fast track program set up at Washington Monroe High School in September. The program is now considered a ‘best practice' by the American National Red Cross.

About five local volunteers have been in Washington , D.C. helping the American National Red Cross revise and enhance its disaster response plan following this year's hurricane season. One of the volunteers, Carolyn Williams, just returned after spending 38 weeks doing disaster relief work in 2005.

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American Red Cross, Oregon Trail volunteers respond to house fires every 32 hours on average.
To assist the Red Cross in providing disaster relief, please call (503) 528-5634.
To prepare yourself and your family for fire or other disasters, go to www.redcross-pdx.org