?SALISBURY — The Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross will have a series of open house drop-ins where the community can learn about the agency.
“We’ll be talking a lot about our programs and services,” said Kate Meier, regional communications director.
Meier said most people know the Red Cross has blood drives and helps during natural disasters, but those aren’t the only times volunteers are in the community.
In 2011, the local Red Cross helped 81 local families following a disaster.
The majority of the disaster response from the Red Cross is for residential fires. Meier estimates 93 percent of disasters volunteers respond to are house fires.
The following are open house dates and times:
• Saturday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Those interested in attending don’t have to pre-register or stay the whole two hours.
There will be volunteers and staff members available to discuss the agency.
If there is someone who is interested in volunteering, they can do so at one of the open house events.
“Locally, for every one staff person, we have 35 volunteers who do our work,” Meier said.
There are some volunteers who work in the office, work with communications and others who provide disaster relief.
“We are just looking forward to people coming and getting involved,” she said.
The Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross is located at 1930 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., Salisbury.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.