Warm Hearts, Willing Hands brochure (PDF)

Martin Volunteers has launched a project that will help senior citizens and people with special needs be prepared for disaster.

The project -- called “Warm Hearts, Willing Hands" -- will be operated by Walter Sawyer, a member of the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program.

Through “Warm Hearts, Willing Hands,” Mr. Sawyer will help mobilize volunteers and resources to help people in low- and moderate-income 55+ communities.

“I am looking forward to working with people in mobile home parks and property owner associations to ensure they have plans in place in case of disaster,” said Mr. Sawyer, who has more than 15 years of community service and disaster training from activities in Martin and St. Lucie counties.

Mr. Sawyer’s first step is to identify the neighborhoods to be served and recruit volunteers from within the neighborhoods to help develop and distribute disaster plans and other resources for the targeted areas. 

Anyone interested in volunteering for the project can contact Mr. Sawyer at Martin Volunteers at (772) 220-4472 or wsawyer@martinvolunteers.org. Martin Volunteers is a program of United Way of Martin County.

ABOUT THE VISTA PROJECT

AmeriCorps VISTA members spend at least one year in full-time service addressing the needs of low-income communities. VISTA members work 40 hours a week and have the potential to stay in the project for up to three years.

Martin Volunteers’ VISTA project is Warm Hearts, Willing Hands. Key goals of the project include:

• Seniors and homebound residents will be able to increase their quality of life through services and support from volunteers.

• Seniors and homebound residents will have easy access to the services available through the Senior Quick Reference guides and disaster preparedness materials.

• Disaster plans for each neighborhood and community will be developed, including names, address and emergency contact information for all residents.

• By the end of the funding period, residents of the targeted neighborhoods will be prepared for a natural or man-made disaster, and emergency personnel will be aware of the needs of the residents in the event of a disaster.

• Volunteers will become educated in signs of people at risk in non-disaster situations. These signs include newspapers piling up; mail left in mail boxes; unkempt yards or homes; sudden lack of participation in neighborhood/community activities; unkempt or careless dress.

More information about Martin Volunteers can be found at www.martinvolunteers.org. More information about AmeriCorps Vista can be found at www.americorps.gov.