Red Crosschapters in South Dakota are gearing up for possible deployment to the East Coast as the remnants of Hurricane Sandy continue to batter the region.
TheBlack HillsandSioux Fallschapters have their Emergency Response Vehicles on alert status for potential deployment within the next 24 hours.
Hurricane Sandy sent eleven thousand people from nine states into some 250 Red Cross shelters. Dan Kuecker with the Black Hills Chapter says trained volunteers who can commit to the two week deployment are now gearing up.
“Thankfully the fire season is starting to wind down here in the Western part of South Dakota so the need is starting to die down at least locally somewhat,” says Kuecker.
Red Cross officials on the Eastern side of the state say volunteers in Pierre, Mitchell, and Sioux Falls are also getting ready to go. Officials say they expect a deployment in the coming days.
Financial donations help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org , call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can get more information on how to become a trained volunteer with the Red Cross here.