MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota chapter of the American Red Cross is in the process of deploying 11 volunteers to assist with disaster relief in Florida.
With Hurricane Dorian expected to make landfall Monday, the plan is to send some of the volunteers over the weekend, break during landfall, and have everyone else fly out after the storm subsides.
Regional Disaster Officer Jason Bengston says Minnesota is often able to supply this many volunteers because, fortunately, there are few disasters in the state.
He says volunteer opportunities are available.
"Right now, we're deploying our existing volunteers who have already been trained, but if someone is interested in becoming a volunteer, all they have to do is go onto 'redcross.org' and we'll get them into the system," Bengston said. "We'll get them started on training so they can also help."
The Red Cross says blood donations are especially needed right now because disasters usually force blood drives across large, impacted areas to be cancelled. That can mean missing out on thousands of units of blood for patients across the country who are in need.
In addition to donating blood and volunteering on Floridian ground, financial contributions are encouraged. The Red Cross says donated money would help cover travel expenses when volunteers are deployed as well as the cost of supplies.
