Red Cross Sends Arkansas Volunteers to Florida

A Northwest Arkansas volunteer loaded up the Red Cross emergency response vehicle Friday in Tontitown and is headed to Tampa to help in case Tropical Storm Isaac hits the Florida Gulf Coast.

A dozen Red Cross disaster team members from across the state are also going to Florida.

“With the shelters we have on standby, we will be able to have a place for somebody to come receive warm meals, a safe place to stay, in case of an evacuation or flooding,” said Jeff Patrick, director of communications for the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Red Cross.

Volunteer Linda Morgan left from Tontitown Friday to pick up volunteers from other parts of the state

Morgan has volunteered for the Red Cross since 2004 and said she has responded to fires, tornadoes, ice storms, floods and hurricanes.

“I am getting ready to take our emergency response vehicle to Florida and assist down there wherever I`m needed either feeding bulk distribution, or whatever they need,” Morgan said.  

Morgan is in charge of driving the emergency response vehicle more than 1,000 miles to Tampa.

According to the American Red Cross’ website, the agency is  preparing to open dozens of shelters across Florida. There are 22 Red Cross emergency response vehicles already in Florida, and 28 more are moving into the state, including vehicles from Arkansas.

Anyone wanting to help can make a donation by visiting www.arkansasredcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. Contributions may also be sent to American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.