Mary Young, CEO of the American Red Cross Metro New York North, stopped by the Red Cross shelter in Rockland on Tuesday to survey how efforts were going after Hurricane Sandy. Young said the Red Cross has workers at all the shelters, and additionally, more than 700 volunteers have reached out. She said these volunteers are called “spontaneous volunteers,” and many times, they end up volunteering or working with the Red Cross even after the storm is over.
“We are always, always in need of volunteers, so I would encourage everyone, if you have an opportunity and you want to help, we need you,” Young said.
The Rockland shelter, which opened on Sunday, is in the fieldhouse at Rockland Community College, and had more than 50 spend the night Monday. By Tuesday early evening, at about 4 p.m., all but five had left the shelter, but a larger crowd was expected overnight.
Westchester has shelters in Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Yonkers, Mount Vernon and Mount Kisco. There is also a shelter in Greenwich, CT.
Young added that anyone who wishes to volunteer or look into donating food or other items should go to NYRedCross.org.
