Volunteer Information Session: Overnight Disaster Responders

Join one of the American Red Cross's upcoming virtual information sessions about Overnight Disaster Responders! These volunteers are a part of the Disaster Action Teams in Westchester and Rockland counties, and they serve "on call" from midnight to 8 a.m. Volunteers go to bed assuming they will get a full night's sleep, but they keep their cell phones nearby. If activated, they will go on-scene for a couple of hours to help families who have been displaced by a bad fire or flood. Generally four shifts per month is required.

Fellow volunteers share their experiences:

• Mary Davis (Larchmont): "I volunteer at night because those are the 'darkest times' for disaster victims. Their friends, family, and neighbors are likely unaware of what has happened to them. They have suffered a great trauma and need a helpful team at their side who can help get them into a safe situation and plan next steps." Mary also notes that the overnight shift is a more predictable regular time for her to be "on call"  as her day hours are often busy with commitments. "Losing a few hours of sleep is not a big deal compared to what these families have suffered," Mary says.
• Linda Latona (Mamaroneck): "As I drive home, I know my day has started with this very powerful experience of helping a person during a terrible moment."
• Bernard Mack (Mount Vernon) adds that one perk is seeing the rising sun, which he'd never otherwise be awake to see.

This opportunity requires volunteers to register on a separate website. To volunteer:

1. STEP #1: Express interest in your preferred shift below (blue buttons) to add this activity to your Volunteer New York! profile
2. STEP #2:
   1. For the 9/28 daytime information session (12-1 p.m.): Click here to complete your registration. Volunteers who do not complete this step will not be registered!
   2. For the 9/28 evening information session (6-7 p.m.): Click here to complete your registration. Volunteers who do not complete this step will not be registered!