GIVE HELP

Volunteers in Martin County willing to help in the wake of Hurricane Wilma should call the United Way Volunteer & Community Resource Center (VCRC) at (772) 220-4472.

When a disaster occurs that affects Martin County, VCRC is responsible for establishing a volunteer reception center to register and assign unaffiliated volunteers who want to help. Unaffiliated volunteers are those not already trained and serving organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, public safety agencies, etc.

The most immediate volunteer needs will be in these areas:

• Debris removal

• Tarp installation

• Drivers

Volunteers also will be needed for a variety of tasks, including the following:

• Staffing phone banks.

• Delivering meals or helping at soup kitchens.

• Helping at a special needs shelter.

• Clean-up – inside and outside.

• Packing or unpacking of supplies.

• Distributing ice and water.

• Sitting with Alzheimer’s patients.

• Data entry.

• Case management.

• Counseling.

People who have a chain saw, can drive a pickup truck, or can lift heavy loads will be particularly helpful.

VCRC works with county officials and more than 100 agencies throughout Martin County that need volunteer help on a regular basis as well as in case of disaster. If you, your business, or church or civic group can help, please call (772) 220-4472.

For more information about VCRC, visit www.martinvolunteers.org.

NEED HELP?

Martin County residents should call 2-1-1 or the county Emergency Operations Center (287-1652) when looking for information about shelters and other assistance they may need following the hurricane.

The 2-1-1 service can be reached throughout the Treasure Coast by dialing 2-1-1 from a landline telephone. When using a cellular phone or pay phone, residents need to dial (866) 882-2991 (toll-free) or (561) 383-1111.

2-1-1 is a United Way-funded program that provides community information, referral and crisis intervention services year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.