Cash gifts are the best help, but if you must aid hurricane victims in person, go with an agency for safety's sake.
By CURTIS KRUEGER, SAUNDRA AMRHEIN, SHANNON TAN and CHRIS TISCH
Published August 21, 2004
[Times photo: Lara Cerri]
Tom Jones, left, whose home was destroyed, assists Harbor Heights neighbors Ben Wolford and Terri Carter, who had to wipe away her tears brought on by the help.
In St. Petersburg, more than 250 people will board buses this morning with shovels and rakes as they head to Polk County to help clear hurricane debris.
In Hillsborough County, scores of volunteers will sort food and supplies at a distribution center at the state fairgrounds.
Tampa Bay area residents spared by Hurricane Charley are turning out by the hundreds to help with the recovery effort in communities caught in the storm's path. Besides donating money, they want to help hurricane victims by cleaning neighborhoods, serving hot dogs or answering phones.
But emergency officials warn that well-meaning volunteers should not launch independent efforts to help by showing up unannounced in heavily damaged counties.
The reason: The hardest-hit areas are congested with emergency workers, traffic in some places is heavy, the heat makes physical labor risky for those unaccustomed to it and volunteers could put themselves in dangerous situations.
At least one official in Charlotte County says cash contributions are more welcome now and that volunteers who show up on their own could put themselves in danger. And the Red Cross intends to provide some training for its volunteers before sending them out.
"We really encourage people to call first," said Kelly Drawdy of the Salvation Army. "It's better to work through the agencies for safety issues."
But big relief groups like the United Way and Salvation Army have begun gearing up for major, monthslong volunteer efforts designed to draw heavily on the Tampa Bay area's resources. Some of the volunteer opportunities include:
The Salvation Army asks Tampa Bay area residents to call (813) 903-0944 to learn about volunteer opportunities. The organization needs people to work in canteens feeding storm victims and relief workers in the affected counties, and people to answer phones and do other work locally.
The Tampa Bay Chapter of United Way is asking people to volunteer, especially by sorting out donated goods in a makeshift distribution center in the Tampa Fairgrounds. The United Way asks people to sign up as volunteers by logging onto its Web site, www.uwtb.org or by calling 813 612-9000.
Many churches and religious organizations are amassing volunteers and donations through their already-established relief networks. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says 1,000 volunteers will go into storm-damaged areas this weekend, including 400 from the Tampa Bay area.
"There's a lot of compassionate people in St. Petersburg that really want to make a difference," said the Rev. Clark Edwards of the First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg as he stood in a room full of donated relief supplies.
Another ambitious local volunteer effort is a plan organized by WTSP-Ch. 10 to send volunteers to Lake Wales, a hard-hit community in Polk County. More than 250 people are expected to leave at 6 a.m. today in chartered buses.
The station is coordinating its efforts with Habitat for Humanity and the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
The St. Petersburg Times shares news and features with Channel 10 under a partnership agreement, but is not involved in the volunteer effort.
The United Way and Salvation Army are building teams of volunteers that will continue serving the hurricane zones for months. The American Red Cross also is seeking volunteers and wants to offer them training.
"It's important for us to make sure they're ready to go physically and mentally and have some training," said Tim Teahan, spokesman for the Red Cross' Tampa Bay chapter. "We don't want to create a situation where volunteers become a victim."
He encouraged volunteers to call the Red Cross at (813) 348-4820.
In Charlotte County, Justo Hernandez, special assistant to the federal coordinating officer for FEMA, cautioned that freelance volunteers who drive down on their own "might be in harm's way. ... At this time, the best assistance they can do is provide funds to the Red Cross or Salvation Army."
The outpouring of volunteers goes beyond Tampa Bay. Hundreds of people have streamed in from all over the Southeast. One victim of Hurricane Andrew 12 years ago went to Port Charlotte Wednesday and gave away 400 hot dogs and 240 sodas in a relief center parking lot. Seven crewmen from the submarine USS Florida drove from Norfolk, Va., as did two firefighters from the tiny town of Seagrove, N.C.
"Four hands don't really make a difference," said Darrell Voncannon, the volunteer fire department's assistant chief, "but in the whole scheme of things, it might help somebody."
But Tampa Bay residents have not waited around to help.
Hector Romero of Plant City drove into rural Hardee County this week to see the wreckage. Two days later the pharmacist drove back with a truckload of clothes, diapers, water and other goods donated by Walgreen's and his co-workers there.
"I've never seen such a thing," Romero said Friday, as he gave away the truckload to migrant workers living in a tattered, swampy-smelling mobile home park north of Wauchula.
Steve Casseli showed up in the same spot Friday, with a truckload of diapers, paper towels, water and other goods donated by Tampa's Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Some of the volunteers need help themselves. Tom Jones lives in Charlotte County, and his own house was so badly damaged he gave up trying to fix it. Instead he has thrown himself into helping other victims who have more to salvage. He drives up and down the streets in a golf cart, passing out food and water and shouting out to his fellow victims: "What do you need?"
Photojournalist Lara Cerri contributed to this report.
SOME TIPS FOR VOLUNTEERS
Rely on established networks that are coordinating volunteers, such as the United Way, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, regional and state religious organizations and others.
Remember that the hurricane zone is still dangerous. Wear boots or heavy shoes when walking through damaged areas, and don't assume a building is safe just because it's standing.
Make sure your leaders are talking to building owners before fixing things up. Insurance adjusters may still need to see properties first.
Take care of yourself while working - bring sunscreen, bug repellent, hats, food and water.
