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E-mailRed Cross needs help
When the phone rings in Barb Benedetti's house in the middle of the night, she knows it's disaster calling.
"The adrenaline starts to flow," said Benedetti, a Red Cross volunteer. "I know someone needs help."
Red Cross officials say there are too few people like Benedetti. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, headquartered in Pittsburgh, has put out an urgent appeal for disaster volunteers in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.
The number of disaster volunteers in the three counties is down to seven, chapter spokesman Brian Knavish said. There were as many as 20 a few years ago.
"It's really handcuffing us right now," Knavish said. "The need is pretty great."
Officials said the Red Cross responds to a disaster, on average, once every three days in Washington, Fayette and Greene counties. The Southern Counties Disaster Action Team sends two people to every disaster, Knavish said. Most are house fires that leave people needing essentials such as clothing, food and shelter.
Through Nov. 10, the Red Cross is conducting a Southern County Disaster Volunteer Drive. The drive will culminate with volunteer orientation sessions in Uniontown, Washington and Waynesburg.
"The Red Cross is prepared to respond any time disasters strike southwestern Pennsylvania," said Renee Willow, the chapter's emergency service coordinator.
"However, the Red Cross is in desperate need of more volunteer responders to assist victims with their most essential needs.
"This is a great opportunity for retired individuals or anyone looking to apply their life-skills in a way that gives back to their communities," Willow said.
"Being a Red Cross disaster responder is a challenge that is extremely rewarding."
Knavish said officials were "spoiled" by several volunteers who were on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For various reasons, those volunteers quit, he said.
Benedetti, of Ellsworth in Washington County, has been a Red Cross volunteer for a year.
"It's rewarding," she said. "I enjoy being there to help."
Benedetti said the hardest part for her is comforting the victims, who are always grateful for the help.
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