According to the American Red Cross news release, the American Red Cross along with Americorps, and the American Cadet Alliance are all teaming up in efforts to help those who have been displaced and effected by the flood waters in Rushford, Minnesota.
The efforts that all three organizations are trying to reach, include searching for those people and animals who are missing, delivering water, food and first aid supplies to those who are in need, as well as providing support to those who need help coping with the effects of not having means to communicate or even coping with living without power until it is restored.
According to Sgt. Albers of the American Cadet Alliance, on a scale of 10, the Rushford area is more than likely around a six. Rushford also stated that the ACA will be in Rushford for three days and two nights, since the area is “pretty messy”. Albers also went on to add that “The Red Cross will provide the resources and supplies we need, whatever we need to deliver, they will provide it, or help us get it.”
Some places in Rushford are still not accessible to those who are there to help. Some of the volunteers were in knee deep of mud, and the job of helping those affected will be a dirty, messy job. Although the relief workers are use to these conditions, helping out these people is not for the faint of heart and a lot of work is ahead for all those who are involved.
Many of the workers from Americorps have seen much worst in terms of disasters, such as the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. The partnership between the American Red Cross and Americorps has been going on for years, and those workers who are in Rushford have worked in many different situations and are fully trained to help those who are in need.
If you have never heard of AmeriCorps, they are a network of local, state, and national service programs that helps bring more than 70,000 Americans each year to help our country’s needs in education, safety, health, and of course environment. The AmeriCorps work with more than 2,000 non profit, public agencies and since 1994, over 400,000 men and woman have helped provide assistance to millions of Americans in their time of need. To learn more about the AmeriCorps organization, please visit their website at http://www.americorps.org/
To learn more about the American Cadet Alliance, please visit their website located at www.militarycadets.org. To donate your time with the American Red Cross, or to just donate food or anything else you think would benefit the victims of the flood in Rushmore, Minnesota, please visit the American Red Cross website at www.RedCross.org
SOURCE : American Red Cross – Never too Young To Help Others
http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_6980,00.html
SOURCE : American Cadet Alliance Website
www.militarycadets.org
SOURCE : American Red Cross Website
www.RedCross.org
SOURCE : AmeriCorps Website
http://www.americorps.org/
Josie Sanderson of Brookings, S.D., a member of Americorps and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), is one such worker.
“I worked five wildfires this summer,” the energetic Sanderson said. “I’m used to getting dirty and taking those baby wipe baths.”
Sanderson believes that the partnership with the Red Cross is one that will be beneficial to both organizations.
“Well, I’ve always believed that saying ‘two heads are better than one’,” said Sanderson. “We’re still working to get the Americorps name out to the public, and one of the best ways we can do that is by working with the American Red Cross.”
In fact, the NCCC-which is part of Americorps-and Red Cross missions go hand in hand, as Sanderson points out.
“We are both looking to provide disaster assistance to those who need it most, and bv working together we can get that done,” she asserted. “I’m excited to be on this mission and I’ll be using the training which the Red Cross has provided to me.”
Red Cross training, such as Introduction to Disaster Services and CPR and First Aid, will help this young woman and other Americorps workers provide the assistance needed in the devastated Rushford area. Josie Sanderson is certain they will succeed.
She said, “We need to get in there and help out, that’s what we’re here to do. Work with the Red Cross and others and make sure people get what they need.”
