In July, we told you about the heroic efforts of local Long Beach residents who were helping flood victims in the Midwest—Red Cross volunteers who flew across the country to assist however they could. With the weekend’s arrival of Hurricane Gustav and predicted landfalls from other storms looming over the Gulf Coast, the Red Cross once again called out for help, and Long Beach residents responded.
The Red Cross’ Greater Long Beach Chapter has deployed twelve local volunteers to Gulf Coast stations—six of which volunteered during the catastrophic 2005 hurricane season—and are performing a wide array of services for people throughout the region. From driving an emergency feeding truck in Texas to managing a New Orleans shelter, Long Beach volunteers are doing their parts to assist.
Gustav has passed after a frightening romp through the South, causing extensive damage but nothing like the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster (this AP article shines a light on those affected). The Red Cross is holding its breath that approaching storms Hanna, Ike and Josephine will also spare the already-ravaged region.
Once they do hit, no matter the severity, Long Beach residents who could be relaxing by the beach will be there to offer a hand to someone in need. Here are the local volunteers currently helping in the Gulf.
James Dower—New Orleans, LA
Rita Hooker—New Orleans, LA
Jeff Jacobs—Hattiesburg, MS
George Penn—New Orleans, LA
Roy Hanson—Hattiesburg MS
Katherine McAuley—Hattiesburg, MS.
Michael Kohel—Mississippi (transportation operations)
Jane Quinn—Baton Rouge, LA
Richard Poulin—Alabama (emergency response)
Virginia Acevedo—Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Karen Wells—Hattiesburg, MS
Chris Campbell-Jay—Lufkin, TX
For more information about volunteering, call the Greater Long Beach Chapter of the American Red Cross at (562) 595-6341.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor