Red Cross chapters helping those in need, looking for volunteers

Volunteers with the Pee Dee Chapter of the American Red Cross help Ga. flood victims

By: Rebekah Carter | SCNOW
Published: October 14, 2009

Both Pee Dee and Grand Strand chapters of the American Red Cross are busy doing what they do best, helping others.

Workers and volunteers with the coastal chapter of the Red Cross met with four families Tuesday night, whose apartments were badly damaged by a fire.
Angela Nicholas, the spokesperson for that chapter, says volunteers are always needed to help with Red Cross efforts.

She says the chapter offers free volunteer training for those interested. There are a number of areas people can volunteer to work in. Some of them include: office and secretarial work, disaster-relief, blood drives, and grief counseling.

But the coastal volunteers are not the only ones stepping out and making an impact by helping others.

A group from the Pee Dee chapter just recently returned from a trip to Atlanta. They left the comfort of their own homes to help those affected by the recent floods.
Anthony Hall, James Leslie, and Susan Redmond were among some of the volunteers who helped clean up disaster areas there. They also helped the flood victims with essentials such as food, water, and shelter.

While both groups have a strong group of dedicated volunteers, they can always use more helping hands, especially with the holidays coming up.
The Red Cross hosts a number of toy and food drives during the holiday season. Those meals and toys go to families affected by fires and other disasters throughout the year.

Anyone who would like to volunteer with the Red Cross is encouraged to call their local chapter:
Coastal SC Chapter of Red Cross:
7747 N. Kings Hwy
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(843) 839-4483

Pee Dee Chapter of Red Cross:
1601-A West Lucas Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 662-8121