June 1st, 2011
The Birmingham News yesterday reported that relief agencies are getting fewer volunteers than needed. Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that will fit your skill level and schedule? Watch our short videos below to hear from real volunteers about what they’re doing.
CALL CENTERS: The North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church emergency call center fields calls from people in need of assistance and groups interested in volunteering (toll-free 1-855-862-8657). They still need volunteers to field calls and help organize volunteer groups. Many other organizations, including the United Way and local church groups, can also use help fielding calls.
DONATION SORTING: One of the largest donation centers operating in central Alabama is Christian Service Mission. Below, director Tracy Hipps discusses his organization’s efforts in sorting and distributing relief goods to those in need. CSM still needs volunteers to sort donations, drive trucks and deliver supplies daily.
FEEDING UNITS: The Birmingham Baptist Association works with the Red Cross to prepare and distribute meals to storm victims and cleanup teams. If you’re looking for a long-term volunteering commitment, you can sign up to receive specialized training from Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief to work on one of their feeding trucks, which feeds tens of thousands of people every day.
DEBRIS CLEANUP AND REBUILDING: Hands on Birmingham connects volunteer groups to work opportunities in the areas most affected by the storms. You can register at their website to find moredebris cleanup and other volunteering opportunities in central Alabama. Or, call 2-1-1 to hear about similar opportunities near you.
Want to connect to similar opportunities in your area? Find more volunteer and donation sites at ourTornado Relief Page.
Posted by Stuart Norman