Volunteer West Virgina - Americorps

from website:
http://www.volunteerwv.org/voad/voad.cfm

Donations and volunteers are needed in West Virginia as a result of recent flooding. As recovery efforts continue, Volunteer WV!, a program of the WV Commission for National & Community Service, is working closely with West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD) to mobilize volunteers and assistance to response and recovery agencies.

Organizations who register with the website www.volunteerwv.org can recruit volunteers by posting volunteer jobs. People who want to help with disaster recovery can also register and search for disaster-related volunteer opportunities.

Member agencies of West Virginia Organizations Active in Disaster provide direct service to those who are impacted by disasters such as flooding. But as a collaborative group, they also help victims recover in the long term, too.

Because recovery from flooding and other disasters often takes months, if not years, WV VOAD, created regional Long-Term Recovery Committees (LTRCs) to help with disaster-related needs not completely covered by insurance or by federal and state disaster assistance programs. In the event of flooding, applications will be accepted for persons who sustained damage to their homes. All approved applicants will be visited by a long-term recovery case manager or a volunteer case worker who will work with them to assess damage, formulate a recovery plan, and procure cost estimates. Regional long-term recovery committees, broadly representative of the flooded communities, will review and make decisions on expenditures and use of volunteer resources on a case-by-case basis.

To apply for assistance and/or to receive additional information, call toll-free 1-877-330-9105. Survivors should always apply to FEMA first.Monetary donations to immediate disaster relief should be made directly to disaster agencies. However, contributions to help with long-term recovery should be sent payable to the West Virginia Council of Churches, (WV VOAD's fiscal agent). Please designate checks "for disaster recovery" and mail to:

West Virginia VOAD
c/o WV Council of Churches
2207 Washington St. East
Charleston, WV 25311-2218

VOLUNTEER WISELY TO HELP OTHERS.
In a community struggling to respond to and recover from a disaster, an influx of unexpected or unneeded volunteers and donations can make the process even more difficult. Before traveling to the disaster area to help, learn where and when your skills will be needed. Discuss with volunteer organizers how your needs for food, water and shelter will be met while you are volunteering.