COMMUNITY BRIEFS
CORRECTION — In the Thursday, Sept. 8, issue of the Santa Monica Daily Press (“Sheraton Delfina is finally HERE”), luxury hotels that have become unionized in Santa Monica were listed. Loews is one of them.
Orleans 230 miles away.
“We expect that many more Santa Monica Red Cross chapter trained volunteers will be heading to the disaster area in the days and weeks to come.”
Two “fast track” Red Cross classes also are required for those who wish to work in hurricane disaster relief. Volunteers must attend a brief orientation and take condensed versions of “Introduction to Disaster Services,” “Mass Care” and “Shelter Management” required by the Red Cross. All sessions are held at the Santa Monica chapter. Persons wishing to volunteer for Katrina disaster relief should call the chapter at (310) 394-3773 for a current schedule of training sessions.
Volunteers going to the disaster area will serve for a minimum of nine days, although a two-or three-week period of availability is preferred. Airfare to and from the disaster locale, food and housing (shelter) expense are covered by the American Red Cross. Potential Katrina volunteers must be over 18 years old and in good health.
Many Hurricane Katrina shelters are located in areas with virtually no amenities. Volunteer housing will most likely be in a public shelter. At the current time, power is still off and water is scarce in most locales.
“Working in a disaster environment is likely to be very uncomfortable and not advisable for those who are used to creature comforts,” Chatman said.
The Red Cross is now establishing long term shelters away from the impacted area. “The Red Cross has 360 shelters in operation in nine states including Utah, Missouri, Oklahoma and Washington, DC,” Chatman said. “Forty-two hundred Red Cross disaster volunteers are already deployed with another 600 persons going in on a daily basis.”
The American Red Cross has launched the largest mobilization of resources for a single natural disaster in its history.
BRIEFS, from page 5 “The organization, in conjunction with the Southern Baptist churches and other suppliers, is already providing in excess of 500,000 hot meals daily to displaced persons,” said Chatman, adding that plans are to establish shelters in other parts of the country, including Southern California.
Because of the scope of the disaster, hundreds of millions of dollars are needed to pay for food, services and supplies. Those interested in contributing to the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief fund can send a a check to American Red Cross of Santa Monica, 1450 11th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401. Checks should be made out to “American Red Cross” with the notation: “Hurricane Katrina.” The Red Cross does not handle clothing, food or other goods.
Blood donations are always needed. Donors can donate blood at the Santa Monica Chapter on Monday, Sept. 19, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Donors should call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE any weekday between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. to schedule an appointment.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 9, 2005. Read the original PDF.