Volunteers Sought For Red Cross Emergency Warming Center

The Oregon Trail Chapter's emergency warming center will only be open in extreme weather, when triggers determined by the City of Portland are met.

Red Cross Warming Shelter in Portland, Oregon Photo courtesy: Lise Harvin/Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - While this week's weather may be blustery, now's the time to start planning for the freezing temperatures Portland will see in the coming months. Lise Harwin with the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross, says volunteers are now being recruited to staff an emergency warming center that will serve our city's homeless population during extreme weather. The Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross has planned the following orientation sessions: Monday, Oct. 19
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Oregon Trail Chapter, 3131 N. Vancouver Ave. Tuesday, Oct. 27
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Oregon Trail Chapter, 3131 N. Vancouver Ave. Saturday, Nov. 7
To Be Determined The orientation sessions will cover topics including triggers for warming center operation; staffing assignments; rules of conduct; and what to expect as a volunteer. Registration for the orientations is not required. Emergency warming center volunteers must be at least 18 years old and willing to commit to a minimum of two 6-hour shifts. A background check is also required. Since the center will be in operation overnight, volunteers must be available after hours. The Oregon Trail Chapter's emergency warming center will only be open in extreme weather, when triggers determined by the City of Portland are met. The contract period will run from November 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. In Oregon, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disaster an average of 10 times a week; supplies more than 90 percent of Oregon's blood; teaches thousands of Oregonians lifesaving skills; offers transportation to seniors and the disabled; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit oregonredcross.org or join our award-winning blog at oregonredcross.org/blog.