Two Dozen Regional Volunteers Supporting Operations On Location or Virtually
The American Red Cross continues to help people in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi affected by this month’s devastating flooding. The disaster response spans an area roughly the size of the state of Colorado and the Red Cross is working with the entire response community – federal, state, county and local agencies, other non-profit organizations, churches, area businesses and others – to help coordinate the relief effort and deliver services quickly.
Over the past few days, five volunteers from the Western and Central New York Region have been deployed to areas impacted by floods. From Central New York, Ken Stapleton of Cicero and Bill Looft of Oneida are traveling to Texas to assist with bulk distribution of relief items.
From Western New York, Peggy McGee-Smith of Kenmore is going to Louisiana to help provide disaster mental health services.
Two volunteers from the Finger Lakes deployed to Louisiana. Elmira resident Thomas Wallace is a disaster mental health associate, while Sharon Tyo of Branchport is serving as a government liaison.
With the latest deployments, 17 volunteers from the Western and Central New York Region are on site while seven others are supporting operations virtually.
NAME, HOMETOWN STATE FUNCTION
Carlos Averio, Rochester Louisiana Client Casework (virtual)
Robert Barton, Savannah Mississippi Disaster Assessment
May Becker, Fayetteville Texas Client Casework (virtual)
Jay Bonafede, Tonawanda Texas Public Affairs
Thomas Daley, Tonawanda Texas Client Casework
Marieanna Elliott, Hamburg Texas Disaster Mental Health
Paul Francher, Syracuse Texas Client Casework (virtual)
Lucille Frisicano, Webster Louisiana Health Services
Charlene Hanson, Niagara Falls Mississippi Health Services
Gordon Howard, Tully Texas Disaster Assessment
Shelley Licurse, Manlius Louisiana Disaster Mental Health
Bill Looft, Oneida Texas Bulk Distribution
Leonard Malinowski, Canandaigua Louisiana Client Casework (virtual)
Peggy McGee-Smith, Kenmore Louisiana Disaster Mental Health
Bonnie Nolen, Rush Mississippi Client Casework
Susan Page, Marcellus Louisiana Client Casework (virtual)
Sarah Perkins, Pittsford Louisiana Disaster Assessment
Leslee Rice, Shortsville Louisiana Client Casework (virtual)
Diane Sargent, Lockport Louisiana Disaster Assessment
Elizabeth Shook, Cuba Texas Staff Services
Ken Stapleton, Cicero Texas Bulk Distribution
Sharon Tyo, Branchport Louisiana Government Liaison
Frank VanSickle, Cortland Louisiana Client Casework (virtual)
Thomas Wallace, Elmira Louisiana Disaster Mental Health
The Red Cross needs the public right now to help support families suffering from disasters right now. Anyone who wants to help people affected by disasters like flooding and countless other crises can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visitingredcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
Another way people can help is to become an American Red Cross volunteer. The donated time and talent of a Red Cross volunteer can make a real difference in people’s lives. Go to redcross.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.