Red Cross volunteer Sandi LoftisCLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Changes within the American Red Cross mean more volunteers can get to disaster scenes anywhere in East Tennessee more quickly.
As the first anniversary of the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak nears, Hiwassee Chapter Executive Director Julia Wright said volunteers from Bristol to Chattanooga have less bureaucracy to face when responding outside their chapter areas.
The change already was being planned when the tornadoes came last year and is part of a national Red Cross restructuring, she said.
So the Hiwassee Chapter, which now operates in five counties -- with Monroe added to Bradley, Polk, Meigs and McMinn -- could use some more volunteers.
Sandi Loftis, a volunteer since 2004, said even disasters in faraway places, such as New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, can have a local impact.
"We ended up with 179 clients coming through our chapter here after Katrina," she said.
While hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters inspire people to volunteer and donate, those efforts are needed every day, Loftis said.
United Way funds most of the Red Cross chapter's needs, Wright said, but local individuals contribute, too.
"To the family which just lost their home in a fire, that is just as big a disaster as a tornado," Loftis said.
The Hiwassee Chapter responds to house fires year round, bringing food, blankets, counseling or even a three-day hotel voucher for temporary shelter.
Volunteers don't have to be part of what is called a disaster response team either, Wright said. Training is available to fit a busy schedule and the talents and skills a volunteer brings, she said.
"We will accept whatever time you have to offer," Wright said.
Contact staff writer Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com or 423-314-1029.