American Red Cross depends on volunteers

After the long drought earlier this decade, it's ironic that flooding could be a problem in Nebraska, but that was the case earlier this week.

Hundreds of families in central and northeast Nebraska were displaced and faced weeks of clean-up, but had the help of more than 200 trained Red Cross volunteers to provide food, clothing, shelter, comfort and care.

Eight shelters were opened across the state to provide more than 12,000 meals and snacks, comfort and clean-up kits to the communities affected by the floods.

"It's times like these when we see the true spirit of volunteerism rise in our communities," said Donna Titman, CEO of the Central Plains Regional Chapter. "We are an organization led by volunteers and absolutely could not deliver our services without them."

Southwest Nebraska is no stranger to flooding, such as the great 1935 Republican River flood and more recent flash flooding in other areas of the region, but we're more likely to have contact with the American Red Cross through blood donations or helping to meet the needs of victims of house fires.

Southwest Nebraskans and Northwest Kansans are quick to volunteer, and if you would like to help the American Red Cross achieve its goals, call (308) 382-3790, or your local chapter for more information.