NE Florida stands ready to help Oklahoma relief

Efforts to rebuild in Oklahoma can barely even begin, but there is already a growing interest on the First Coast about how you can help those efforts.

Northeast Florida Red Cross Director of Public Support Christian Smith tells us they’re resources are ready to be deployed when requested. In fact, local volunteers are more than willing to head out to help.

“We don’t have to call them [the volunteers] because they’re calling us telling us they’re ready to go,” she says.

While their services have not been requested yet, Smith says- based on prior disasters- she expects their emergency response vehicle could be called as early as Tuesday morning. The vehicle has the ability to serve one thousand meals a day, which Smith says meets the immediate needs of giving food, water and shelter to those affected.

After that initial wave, she says they may be called on for victim resources.

“This is just a terrible tragedy, so it wouldn’t be unusual for potentially sending out some mental health resources,” Smith says.

With hurricane season right around the corner, she also point to the looming local need for volunteers.

“We need more volunteers every day,” she says.

If you commit time now to the Red Cross, she says that won’t immediately help Oklahoma, however there is an immediate need that everyone can contribute from afar- and that’s money.

Smith says their biggest need will be financial contributions.  You can donate either online at RedCross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.