7 Hawaii Red Cross Volunteers Deploy After Hurricane Irene

By Wendy Osher

Maui Red Cross, file photo by Wendy Osher.

A total of seven local Hawaii Red Cross volunteers are deploying to assist victims of Hurricane Irene.

There are also 50 more volunteers on standby to deploy, if needed, within 24 hours.

Among those scheduled to leave for Boston tomorrow are Bill Berg, Christina Bell, Renise Bayne, and Trevor Keetch.  They will be assisting with bulk distribution of emergency relief items.

In addition, registered nurse Donna Goldsworthy from the Big Island will be deploying to Connecticut today.

Hawaii nurses Esther Lau and Lucille James are scheduled to deploy on Friday. Lau is a veteran disaster services volunteer whose first deployment was during the events of 9-11. The experience was so profound for her, that 10 years later, she still deploys to large disasters several times a year. She will be deploying this time to New York for Hurricane Irene.

James has deployed in the past to Alabama and to American Samoa.  She will be deploying to Connecticut for Hurricane Irene.

Thousands of people from North Carolina to New England have turned to the American Red Cross for help in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, as flooding, widespread power outages and wind damage have devastated many communities.

The Red Cross response to the disaster is estimated at $10 to $15 million.

Since Friday, the Red Cross has provided about 52,000 overnight shelter stays.

People who can help are encouraged to click, text or call to donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit www.redcross.org , call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Contributions may also be sent to the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816.

*** Supporting information courtesy the Hawai’i Red Cross.