Red Cross of Tennessee aids Tropical Storm Debby victims; calls for more volunteers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — About 565 American Red Cross volunteers from across the country are responding to the devastation left in Tropical Storm Debby’s path.

More than 25 of those volunteers are from Tennessee. They’re stationed throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, helping in shelters and driving emergency response vehicles.

The Red Cross is operating or supporting 26 emergency shelters for those impacted by Debby. Monday night, those shelters held over 400 people.

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“Right now, the need for shelter working volunteers who are ready to deploy at any given time is high,” said Jerrica Williams, Interim-Regional Communications Director for the American Red Cross of Tennessee.

If you’d like to volunteer at a future disaster shelter, there are several training events happening this week.

Thursday, Aug. 8:

• Northeast TN Chapter: 660 Eastern Star Road, Kingsport, TN 37663 | 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. EST

Friday, Aug. 9:

• East TN Chapter: 6921 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37909 | 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. EST

• Nashville Area Chapter: 2201 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203 | 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. CST

• Mid-South TN Chapter: 1399 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. CST

Saturday, Aug. 10:

• Southeast TN Chapter: 4115 S. Access Road, Chattanooga, TN 37406 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. EST

“Our volunteers’ job is to go in and make sure that these people are comfortable, make sure that their sleeping arrangements are comfortable, make sure that they have someone in spiritual care to talk to because again, this is a hard time for them,” said Williams.

Volunteering at a shelter is a two week commitment in or beyond your community. Williams said the payoff is knowing you made a difference.

“That sense of just knowing that you helped someone after they lost so much, whether it’s a hurricane, whether it’s a flood, or even a home fire in the middle of the night, it’s just a great feeling to know that you made an impact, big or small, in someone’s life,” said Williams.

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For more information on the Shelter Volunteer training, please contact [email protected].

The Red Cross is also facing a critical, national blood shortage, heightened by blood drives that have been canceled due to severe weather.

Those who are able are encouraged to donate. You can sign up by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or clicking here.

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