Volunteers Aid Thousands Affected by 2008 Floods
Over the past few weeks the state of Wisconsin has witnessed natural disasters of a larger scale than any in recent years. Flooding and tornados have left hundreds without homes or possessions. But as conditions have worsened, volunteers from across the state are rushing to aid their neighbors. Organizations like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, while having many trained employees, rely heavily on the abilities of volunteers to help them organize and run their relief operations. Here are examples of the great work being done by local volunteers in the wake of these disasters.
- The Red Cross opened shelters in Baraboo, Columbus, LaFarge, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Fort Atkinson, Milwaukee, Muscoda, Reedsburg, Waupan, Montello, Union Grove, and Janesville.
- Red Cross Bulk Distribution Sites providing free flood clean-up supplies have open in Crawford, Grant, Richland, Sauk, Juneau, Iowa, Monroe and Vernon counties.
- The Salvation Army opened meal sites in Gays Mills and Viola to feed survivors, emergency workers and volunteers. Three mobile kitchens, serving donated food from Organic Valley, were deployed to Richland, Vernon, Crawford and Sauk Counties.
- The ARES/RACES amateur radio clubs provided damage assessment communication and safey patrols with local authorities.
- God's People Helping People went door-to-door in Kendall to find out who needed help with cleaning, cleaning supplies, food and some of the damage that was done.
- Lutheran Social Services has 22 crisis counseling staff providing outreach services to individuals in the 14 counties.
Volunteer Center of Washington County serving volunteers, citizens
Three weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, representatives from five Washington County groups met to discuss community safety and to form the county’s Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster Council (VOAD). From those original five agencies, the VOAD has grown to serve 15 agencies and is recognized as one the best volunteer coalitions in the state...read more!
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