By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With disasters still possible across the United States, the American Red Cross needs people to help.
"We're anticipating a pretty active hurricane season," Red Cross spokesperson Jan Hale said. "Just with everything that has gone on in the last year and a half, the Red Cross just wants people to know that we are in need of volunteers."
The Red Cross needs new volunteers to support disaster shelters. Volunteers will help with reception, registration, food distribution, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks inside disaster shelters.
"We try to make it as easy as possible for people to get the information they need," Hale said. "They can simply go to redcross.org/volunteer and a lot of information will be right there on the website. You can even apply online."
In addition to the volunteer need, the Red Cross still needs blood donations.
"These are the dog days of summer," Hale said. "It's hot. People are getting ready for the kiddos to go back to school. Things are ramping back up, but regardless of what the date is on the calendar, there is always a need for blood."
Hale said the Red Cross still especially needs type O positive and type O negative blood.
Below are area blood drive dates:
Harvey County
Newton
8/23/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., First Church of the Nazarene, 1000 N. Main
8/24/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., First Church of the Nazarene, 1000 N. Main
McPherson County
Inman
8/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Peters United Church of Christ, 111 Pine
McPherson
8/18/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Prairieland Partners John Deere, 2401 E. Northview
Moundridge
8/27/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Zion Church, 101 S. Washington
Reno County
Hutchinson
8/25/2021: 6 a.m. - 1 p.m., Hutchinson Community College Student Union, 1300 N Plum
8/27/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, 1701 East 23rd
Rice County
Sterling
8/19/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 137 N. Broadway
About blood donation
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.