PITTSBURGH — Red Cross emergency response vehicles from across the country are enroute to southern states hit the hardest by Hurricane Helene, including one ERV that left from the Strip District, heading to Charlotte with two seasoned volunteers on board, ready to help.
Preparing for the unthinkable: it’s something Red Cross volunteers Dennis Bayne and Paul Stillitano have grown somewhat accustomed to. However, seeing heartbreaking images of the destruction and devastation in several southern states has left them in shock.
“[There’s] nothing like it. This is a lot worse,” Bayne said. “If they need a shoulder to cry on, we’ll be a shoulder to cry on.”
The pair set out bright and early Thursday morning after packing up their ERV, both deviating from their normal assignments in disaster assessment to sign on as drivers, wanting to help in whatever way they can. So far, a few dozen Red Cross volunteers have left from the Greater Pennsylvania area and headed for Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas.
“It’s just hard to believe. You feel for the people who live down there,” Stillitano said.
The Red Cross is in dire need of volunteers this season: those who are willing to travel and those who can give back in our region. Bayne and Stillitano have a message for those who want to do something.
“Try to get out there and help these people that need the help,” Stillitano said.
“…An hour a week, two hours a week, an hour a month, whatever, we need volunteers,” Bayne said.
If you would like to volunteer, click here.
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