A humanitarian organization is in need of volunteers locally.
The Canadian Red Cross is currently seeking volunteers to specifically help out in with their emergency management and health equipment loan programs.
Melissa DeMeda, volunteer recruitment coordinator with Canadian Red Cross, said her organization is lacking volunteers from the Nanaimo area, adding that the Red Cross offers opportunities for individuals to learn new skills, meet new people and is a great way to give back to the community. She said the Red Cross recognizes people are busy and will work with people’s schedules.
“We are pretty good for finding a fit for where you want to be and grow and the skills that you want to develop,” she said. “We also offer some really unique opportunities, we will send you into some really remote communities and trust that you are going to do a great job in engaging the community.”
While the Red Cross will gladly take volunteers to help in any area, DeMeda said they really need people to fill vacant spaces in the emergency management and health equipment loan programs, adding that volunteers receive training.
“We don’t expect people to come in knowing everything. Our training is pretty comprehensive and emergency management includes first aid training,” she said.
Emergency management volunteers help individuals in communities following significant events such as a house fire or natural disasters such as a wildfire or flood. DeMeda said emergency management volunteers can serve their local community or be sent to other communities.
“We actually deploy the province or even across the country at times,” she said. “So it is kind of a cool opportunity to get a bit of travel experience out of community work while still doing some really impactful work.”
The Red Cross’ health equipment loan program provides individuals with medical equipment and is supported through provincial health authorities according to DeMeda, who said her organization needs volunteers to help deliver medical equipment.
“That’s a really great role, you get to know the community,” she said. “It’s very client-facing, you meet a lot of new people and you get to practise your administrative skills.”
The Canadian Red Cross was founded in 1896 and has more than 6,000 volunteers nationwide. DeMeda said volunteering with the Red Cross is an extremely rewarding experience for anyone.
“It’s a great way to give back to your community and it is very impactful,” she said.
For more information on volunteer opportunities with the Canadian Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com
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