Red Cross in San Antonio stresses urgent need for volunteers as Hurricane Milton looms over Florida

SAN ANTONIO — With Hurricane Milton on the verge of invading Florida, the American Red Cross of Central & South Texas is calling on the community to step up and volunteer. 

The growing demand for volunteers comes during a time when devastated communities in multiple states are recovering from Hurricane Helene.

“We just simply cannot perform our lifesaving humanitarian mission without the help of our volunteers,” said Dr. Daniel Martinez, executive director of the Red Cross Greater San Antonio chapter. 

The Red Cross has been providing an array of relief for those impacted by Helene, which has led to the deaths of more than 200 people. 

Now there’s a renewed focus on assisting those living in Florida as a menacing Hurricane Milton approaches. 

“Tuesday night alone, 32,000 individuals stayed in a shelter. That’s before Milton has even made landfall,” Martinez said.

There are two upcoming training sessions for people interested in becoming volunteers. Participants will learn the skills to support emergency shelters and help disaster survivors. 

“Everything from spiritual care, mental health care to working a shelter to providing meals. All that is wrapped up into these academies in a fast track so that anyone who wants to volunteer can deploy right away,” Martinez said.

One training is scheduled for Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Red Cross San Antonio location at n3642 East Houston St.

Another session is slated for Oct. 12. 

People are encouraged to fill out a volunteer application before the training event kicks off. Visit this link to learn more.

 “If they have that heart to serve, we definitely want them trained now. Recovery is going to be long. We anticipate – the American Red Cross because of these two natural disasters, we’ll be there through March and possibly longer.”