Natural disasters know no season — but it can have a familiar face.
After a cost-saving measure that consolidated offices in 2010, The American Red Cross is growing again in Warren County.
Saturday, veterans of past American Red Cross disaster shelters held a training camp of sorts at Hawkins United Methodist Church to prepare the organization’s rookie helpers and grizzled veterans for managing people and the stories they carry when storms, floods and other disasters strike.
The service organization has a number of projects ranging from disaster shelter training to smoke alarm instillation in the works and is hoping to increase its local volunteer base, said Morgan Bell, the local volunteer coordinator.
In 2010, Red Cross officials announced the Vicksburg Area Chapter would be consolidated with operations in Jackson as part of a project to trim more than half a million dollars from their statewide budget.
Many Red Cross volunteers contacted by the Post since consolidation, expressed frustration but declined to comment publicly. Some dropped out of the organization altogether.
“At this point, all of our long-standing volunteers are back on board,” Bell said.
“If something happens, we want the local people serving the local community,” Bell said.
Having a familiar face greet a disaster victim at the door softens the sting of loss and speeds the healing process.
Community members who are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross can call Morgan Bell at the Red Cross office in Vicksburg 601-814-0553 or visit redcross.org/Mississippi.