Alabama State University Comes to the Aid of Hurricane Irma Evacuees (2564 hits)
Alabama State University greatly helped the American Red Cross come to the rescue of hundreds to people (and families) as Hurricane Irma approached Florida, Georgia and even local folks in fear of strong winds and huge rainfall.
As tens of thousands of people evacuated to the safety of Alabama in search of shelter, hundreds of them made their way to ASU's Dunn-Oliver Acadome, which served as a Red Cross shelter. ASU students, staff and administrators assisted the Red Cross with its relief efforts. Catera Christie, a member of ASU’s Red Cross Club, was one of the first volunteers on deck following the initial announcement that ASU would host evacuees on campus.
“As a student, it is very important to give back,” she said. “When people hear about the Red Cross, they automatically assume that they have to give blood, but that’s not the case. We do so much more than that on many fronts. And, it’s comforting to know that I’m out here doing something instead of just sitting at home.”
Christie, a junior psychology major from Columbus, Ga., started volunteering with the Red Cross more than six months ago. She said she has always enjoyed helping others and was influenced to serve by her mother, who is also a Red Cross volunteer.
“I really like giving back and helping others,” Christie said. “I just want help out anyway I can.” Members of the ASU Red Cross Club helped set up the shelter area and handled registration of evacuees, which included gathering their contact information, recording an accurate count of family members and providing them with identifying wristbands. The volunteers also gave each evacuee a tour of the shelter and provided them a list of rules and regulations.
Khadijah Daniel, a senior from Atlanta, serves as the president of the ASU Red Cross Club. She said volunteering with the Red Cross is very important.
“The Red Cross is a big organization, but it doesn’t have many employees. It runs off of volunteers,” Daniel said. “So it’s important that we get volunteers during times of crisis, but we really need volunteers for other events too. I love doing this. It’s a great feeling to know that you are helping someone.”
Anyone who wishes to volunteer with the Red Cross, or students who want to join the ASU Red Cross Club, can register at www.redcross.org.
