Red Cross deploys Bourbon County

Two local citizens are answering the call to duty by coming to the aide of those effected by Hurricane Gustav. More may be following with the threat of Hurricane Hannah approaching the East Coast.

"People feel the need to help when they can," said Bourbon County Chapter Executive Director, Whendi Martin.

Red Cross volunteers Cindy Vietti and Pauline Hart left from Kansas City Thursday afternoon to help the victims of Hurricane Gustav. Vietti is a registered nurse and will be sent from Baton Rouge to a health service where she will assist in providing medical care to victims of the storm. Hart will be sent from Baton Rouge to assist in a shelter. Vietti and Hart will be working at their locations for ten days before returning home.

Vietti and Hart are two of the chapter's approximately 20 volunteers which are certified to work on national disasters. The Bourbon County has a total of 35 volunteers who help with local, state, and national disasters.

With the threat of Hurricane Hannah, Martin has a couple of volunteers on stand by ready to help.

"It is an ongoing effort," said Martin. "There are volunteers coming and going at all times."

As tornado and hurricane seasons continue to grow in severity, the American Red Cross is looking for more volunteers to assist at local, state, and national disasters.

"There is a huge shortage of people," said Martin

Volunteers make up 94 percent of all American Red Cross workers. According to the American Red Cross, one out of every 527 Americans is a volunteer with a total of 581,260 volunteers around the country.

Those interested in becoming a volunteer with the American Red Cross should contact Whendi Martin at (620) 223-0980.

Other local citizens not affiliated with the American Red Cross are also heading down to the Gulf Coast from other organizations, Bourbon County Emergency Management Director Keith Jeffers, Scott Township Fire Chief Jackie Messer, as well as local members of the National Guard.