PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Volunteers with the American Red Cross already have boots on the ground in states destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Still, relief efforts across the south are only just beginning, as officials are looking for help.
"We've all seen the news, we've all watched how this is going, but when you see the amount of people impacted by this, it really shows we have to respond in a positive and quick manner," said Sherry Nealon-Shrive Executive Director American Red Cross Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter.
Among the volunteers are people from our area.
The Northeastern PA Chapter of the American Red Cross is calling on more people to volunteer at shelters across several states. Officials say people looking to help will be trained and must commit to a two-week deployment.
"Helping them with immediate needs, making sure they have a safe place to stay. And starting the process to make sure they can start the recovery process, it is going to take a long time," said Nealon-Shrive.
If you can't dedicate time to volunteering, the Red Cross says there are other ways to help. Monetary donations will help purchase supplies and blood donations are needed.
"We lost 2,500 collections so far with this devastation, so that is blood that would have been collected at the time that can't be, so you can always sign up to give blood," said Nealon-Shrive.
For more information on the different ways you can help in the Hurricane Helene relief efforts you can click here.