Valley Volunteers Head East to Help with Tropical Storm Isaac

As Tropical Storm Isaac garners more attention, residents from Silicon Valley sprang into action to prepare for the mess that may be left behind by violent winds and rain.

On Aug. 26 and 27, the Red Cross Silicon Valley sent 11 volunteers out to:

• Montgomery, Alabama;
• Tampa, Florida;
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

Among the volunteers are Sunnyvale resident Yuki Hirose; Ann Herosy, Campbell Civic Improvement Commissioner and Red Cross Silicon Valley Disaster Services Chairperson. Herosy began volunteering for the Red Cross Silicon Valley chapter during Hurricane Katrina, nearly seven years ago.

Other volunteers include San Jose residents Kelley Davis, Roxanne Anderson, Jane Iverson, William Brecheen, Howard Mukoyama and Jodi Wallace; Barbara Wood of Woodside, Charles Smith of San Mateo and Anthony Meza of Union City.

"The American Red Cross is preparing for what could be a large disaster response spanning multiple states and is already starting to help the millions of people whose communities are under warnings from Tropical Storm Isaac," says Red Cross Silicon Valley Spokeswoman Elizabeth Shemaria. "Red Cross disaster workers are responding throughout the Gulf region, providing shelter and help in Florida and preparing to open evacuation shelters in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama." 

The Silicon Valley chapter deployed 10 volunteers last week, bringing the total of volunteers from the Greater Bay Area and Central Coast to 56. Overall, the Red Cross has opened 22 shelters and activated more than 150 emergency response vehicles ready to help, the release stated.

"Red Cross disaster workers will continue to help those affected by opening shelters, providing meals and distributing relief supplies like personal hygiene and clean-up items," Shemaria says.

HOW PEOPLE CAN HELP 

Those who want to help can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

The Red Cross Safe and Well website is also available. People can access the site and let loved ones know where they are. There are several ways to register on Safe and Well, or search for a loved one. From a computer, visit redcross.org; from a smart phone, visitwww.redcross.org/safeandwell or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to be connected with one’s local Red Cross chapter.