Help is waiting for Isaac victims
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on August 31, 2012 1:46 PM
Before Hurricane Isaac even hit the Gulf Coast, area volunteers with the American Red Cross were standing by to help.
A mother and son team from Spring Hope, Cynthia Ann and Jonathan Wright, took Wayne County's Emergency Response Vehicle to Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday, as requested by the National Red Cross.
Once the hurricane moves out of the area, Wayne County's Emergency Response Vehicle, along with ones from other Red Cross chapters, will converge on the damaged areas to feed the victims, said Tammy Forrester, volunteer coordinator with the Eastern North Carolina Region of the American Red Cross.
Volunteers will also give out comfort kits with various toiletries in them, as well as other items such as bottled water, snacks, shovels, brooms, rakes, gloves and blankets -- items victims need to clean up after the storm.
Although the Emergency Response Vehicle will stay in the area until it's no longer needed, volunteers will rotate on a two- to three-week basis.
There are other ways people here can help the hurricane victims.
The Wayne County chapter of the American Red Cross is taking monetary donations to purchase food and supplies for those affected by Isaac.
You can text 90999 on your cell phone and a $10 donation will automatically be given. Or you can go to the Red Cross website at redcross.org and click on donate now. You can also call the local chapter at 735-7201.