I have just received an e-mail calling for volunteers in the DFW area to help thousands of evacuees who are fleeing ahead of Ike.
Details below:
Dallas is the official host city for a disaster in the Houston area. So plans are already set to have most evacuees brought here, versus San Antonio or Austin, she said.
With the most recent track change for Hurricane Ike, North Texas area counties have learned that eight (8) zip codes in the City of Houston are being evacuated today, and that 288 bus loads of people in the storm's path are being sent to North Texas.
http://weatherblog.dallasnews.com/...
At present there are 4 shelters gearing up in the City of Dallas, 6 in Ft. Worth, 3 in Ellis County, and 4 in Denton county.
Under a partnership agreement, The Red Cross will operate the shelters and The Salvation Army will handle meals and food service at all shelters. Up to 400 volunteers a day may be needed for the latter effort. [UPDATE - If all shelters are activated they will need 700+ volunteers daily]
The request I received was to get the following information out to as many DFW area residents that I might know:
Volunteers needed to assist in serving meals, and providing fellowship and comfort to evacuees. They will be serving 3 meals per day, at all shelters, until evacuees are able to return home. Shifts start at 6 AM, 11 AM, 4 PM.
Corporate groups should call the Volunteer Center of North Texas at 1-866-797-8268. Individuals, church groups, civic clubs and schools should go on line at VCNT to register.
They will want contact info and your schedule availability. You must indicate you are volunteering for The Salvation Army (I think this is because Red Cross requires a one day training before using any volunteers in their shelter work)
Couldn't think of any better way than here to get the info out to as many people as I know :)
Additional useful info:
Dallas residents should NOT drop donations at the Dallas Convention Center shelter location NOR should they come to the Dallas Convention Center shelter location to offer volunteer assistance. Donations and volunteering should be routed through the North Texas Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the Volunteer Center of North Texas, or by contacting your favorite local charity.
To make donations or to volunteer:
DONATIONS to help purchase FOOD can be made to the North Texas Food Bank through their Web site: www.ntfb.org
DONATIONS to help purchase OTHER ESSENTIALS can be made to the Salvation Army through their Web site: www.salvationarmydfw.org
VOLUNTEERS may register for assignments with the Volunteer Center of North Texas through their Web site: www.volunteernorthtexas.org or by calling 1-866-797-8268.
CASH DONATIONS to help provide other assistance can be made to the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or at www.redcross.org.