ODESSA, Texas — As of July 8, the American Red Cross has deployed 400 trained volunteers to areas that have been impacted by Beryl. These volunteers are spending two weeks in areas such as McAllen, San Antonio, Austin or Houston, according to Tracy Austin, the Executive Director of the American Red Cross Permian Basin Chapter.
'We are still accepting volunteers," said Austin. "They would go to the area and be trained on how to work in a shelter and then they would be assigned to a shelter where they would be expected to stay for two weeks."
According to Austin, the organization would pay for costs such as travel, room and board. Currently, the Permian Basin has had one of their volunteers deployed towards these efforts.
Volunteers could help fulfill roles such as distributing food to neighborhoods that have been affected, and working at the shelters the organization has set up.
"Volunteers give of their heart, their compassion and they are just so fulfilled by the experience," said Austin.
The Red Cross also provides clean-up kits so that families who have been touched by disaster can have some of the tools they need to clean their homes. These kits include brooms, gloves, scrubbing equipment, brushes and more.
According to Austin, monetary donations go directly to the people who have been affected so the money can be used as financial assistance.
Those looking to donate can also text the Red Cross at 90999.