Opportunities From: United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades

In the event of a disaster, United Way operates the Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) after the event.

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades in conjunction with the Lee Emergency Management Division will be the liaison in connecting volunteers to partners needing assistance. The  VRC is set up and staffed to intake and match volunteer skills with unmet needs in the community.  

Please respond and complete your profile, if you are interested in being contacted in the event of an emergency. Once it is safe to enter the community we will reach out and notify you of available roles.

Examples of opportunities:  

Salvation Army may need volunteers to help in their mass-feeding kitchens following a disaster The American Red Cross may need volunteers to case-manage victims of a hurricane and direct them to  temporary assistance  An elderly person may need volunteers to help clear debris from their yard or flood-soaked carpet  removed from their home  Home-bound victims may need water or food delivered by volunteers  and many, many more opportunities. 

Volunteer Reception Center positions include registration and volunteer intake and interviewing, data collection and entry, safety training, phone bank, runners, greeters, etc.  

The VRC serves to coordinate volunteers who are not currently established with an organization to help support relief efforts under the direction of Emergency Management. Volunteers will be assigned duties as needed by the VRC volunteer staff. (A spontaneous, unaffiliated volunteer or SUV is a person who has not received current, formal disaster response training from a state organization or agency active in disaster. ) 

There is a role for anyone who would like to become certified and assist at the Volunteer Reception Center in times of emergency. Volunteers must be 18 years or older. No special skills are necessary.

FISH of SanCap needs Your Help! Support our senior services through meal deliveries, transportation on and off the island, and more. 

Please contact Our Director of Senior Services, Erika Broyles, erika@fishofsancap.org, 239-472-4775.

 

While big hurricanes and wildfires get the most news coverage, smaller disasters are no less devastating to the families affected. Most of the 60,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are smaller disasters like home fires. As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you can help comfort and support people in your community by meeting any immediate needs such as food, shelter, clothing, or supplies and connecting them to long-term recovery services. We supply all the training you need. 

If you are team-oriented and want to make a difference, please consider joining your local Red Cross Disaster Action Team! For more information, please contact Colleen at Colleen.Ranier@redcross.org or 561-718-4489. Thank you!