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New Red Cross training program will help bring volunteers to disasters quicker

Two Capital Region volunteers drove an American Red Cross emergency response vehicle to Baton Rouge, La., on Friday to support ongoing disaster relief efforts.

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Mental health disaster workers are visiting shelters to offer comfort.

· Distributed more than 151,000 relief items.

· Provided more than 10,000 health services and emotional support contacts.

The volunteers from New Jersey expect to arrive in Louisiana Sunday night. Currently, there are more than 70 Volunteers from the Red Cross, from SC, on the ground helping out flood victims.

More than 90 Red Cross response vehicles are fanning out through flood-affected neighborhoods in Louisiana, while Red Cross workers are also responding to tornadoes in IN and OH, as well as numerous wildfires out west.

HOW TO HELP The time and talent of every volunteer makes a real difference in our neighbor’s lives.

Each day, the Red Cross is able to get into more and more neighborhoods, and volunteers are working tirelessly to provide assistance. Where possible, the Red Cross is beginning to distribute food and relief supplies. More than 500 disaster volunteers from all over the country are on their way to help in Louisiana. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

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The hour-long orientation session is created to introduce new volunteers to the history of the Red Cross and to learn about all of the local volunteer opportunities available. To find locations, go to the free Red Cross Emergency App or redcross.org/shelters.

New Red Cross program