I know I asked about this, and others may be curious as well, so I'll post the info in case anyone is interested.
Form a Volunteer Team: Hands On Network (
www.citycares.org) is organizing and deploying coordinated volunteer teams of 25 or more people to serve in the Volunteer Operations Center set up by the Red Cross in Montgomery, AL. Volunteers will help provide for the basic needs of displaced individuals and families by helping erect temporary shelters (tent cities) and organizing support services such as dispensing water, serving food, administering first aid, providing comfort, etc. Volunteers will receive on-site training from the Red Cross to support specific recovery and emergency needs. If you are interested in volunteering for this effort, please make note of the following eligibility requirements.
1. Seven-day Commitment: Volunteers can only be accepted if they commit to at least a seven-day shift (Sept. 6-13; Sept. 14-21; Sept. 21-28; October and beyond).
2. Groups Strongly Preferred: Groups of 25 or more are strongly preferred over individuals. This will help maximize our efforts. Individuals must form teams that have a designated Team Leader, and he/she must supply a name, address, direct phone number and email address, as well as the number of people in the group.
3. Travel: Volunteers must arrange for their own transportation to and from Montgomery.
4. Housing: Volunteers will be provided with shelter and food in the same tent cities where they will be serving. Volunteers must bring their own sleeping bags and be prepared to sleep in makeshift structures.
5. Medical Needs: Individuals with medical issues that require regular or rapid attention are strongly discouraged from volunteering at this time. Medical personnel are already overextended serving immediate emergency needs.
6. Insurance and Liability: The Red Cross does not accept liability for volunteers serving in disaster response efforts. Volunteers should be covered by their own individual or company policies and will be required to sign appropriate waivers upon volunteer registration.
If you have a group of volunteers that meets all these requirements, please contact the Hands On Network at
takeaction@handsonnetwork.org or call the special hotline at 404-979-2933.