Local Red Cross volunteer deployed to Joplin

DAYTON — A local volunteer with the Dayton Area Chapter of The Red Cross has been deployed to Joplin, Mo. to help tornado victims get back on their feet.

Shawna Collins of Dayton will spend two weeks in Joplin, assisting leadership teams with client services and casework, according to Soteria Brown, spokeswoman for the Dayton chapter. Collins will be assessing residents’ needs and helping victims find some place to stay.

“We are prepared and ready to send more volunteers to Missouri in a moments notice,” said Julie Benedetto, Emergency Services Specialist, via a press statement issued Tuesday. “It’s times like this that we all pull together and show what the Red Cross is really about.”

The number of volunteers deployed depends on the availability and training of the volunteers, Brown said. When a disaster strikes, the Red Cross will search their volunteer database to see who is available to meet the needs.

A tornado hit the city on May 22, leaving 140 people dead. Joplin has a population just under 50,000 and is located in the southwest corner of Missouri.

Those wanting to donate funds to help the disaster relief efforts, can visit www.dac.redcross.org to make an online donation. Donations can also be made by calling the Dayton Chapter of the Red Cross at (937) 222-6711.