How to help the Red Cross help those affected by Irma
In Florida the storm surge from downgraded tropical storm Irma turned some Jacksonville streets into rivers.
LIBERTY TWP, Ohio - Red Cross volunteers from all over the country are working to fix the damage in Florida caused by Hurricane Irma.
Melissa Papini, a resident of Boardman, is the Lake to River Red Cross Disaster Program Manager.
She was at a shelter located east of Tampa, Florida, helping those affected by the storm.
Papini said her organization helped shelter around 1,800 people through the duration of Irma.
The storm surge brought in by the hurricane brought flooding to streets. The winds tore apart homes and took down power lines.
"Everyone was very calm even as the hurricane passed over us with winds gusting at over 110 miles an hour," she said. "The clean up will take time."
Karen Conklin, the Executive Director for the Lake to River Chapter of the American Red Cross, said that if you want to help those affected by Hurricane Irma, the best way to do so is to volunteer.
"If you can't give your time, you can still donate from the comfort of your home," Conklin said. "People can go to Amazon and click on a box of diapers, rolls of toilet paper, water, and so on."
Donations can also be made at the American Red Cross Lake to River Chapter and earmarked for use locally, or for a specific natural disaster.
The number for the Lake to River Chapter of the American Red Cross is 330-392-2551. The chapter serves Ashtabula, Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties.
