Press Releases

Hurricane Irene Drives Need For Volunteers

In the wake of Hurricane Irene, the need for volunteers has surged at area nonprofits assisting with disaster relief.

White Plains, NY (Westchester.com) September 8, 2011
More than 100 nonprofit agencies have registered to participate in Serve and Learn: Westchester Remembers 9/11 -- a special event Sept. 9 that will connect potential volunteers with a wide variety of community service opportunities in Westchester.

These include organizations like American Red Cross, United Way's 2-1-1 call center, Friends of Westchester County Parks, Furniture Sharehouse (a nonprofit furniture bank that helps economically disadvantaged individuals and families), and the Hispanic Resource Center and Sharing Shelf (a nonprofit resource of gently used clothes and school supplies for needy families). There will also be a blood drive for county employees and the public, sponsored by Westchester County and the New York Blood Bank.

"This community-wide call to action couldn't be more timely, as Westchester is recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Irene," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "I encourage residents who have the time to attend 'Serve and Learn' to find out how they can help their fellow neighbors in this time of need."

The event is free to the public and takes place Friday, Sept. 9, from 2 – 7 p.m. at the County Center, White Plains. Registration is encouraged, but not required, as there are many hands-on activities. To do so, please go to www.volunteer-center.org.

Beyond meeting representatives of about 100 agencies, attendees of "Serve and Learn" will also be able to take part in on-site efforts such as a blood drive, CPR training, greeting card making for veterans and soldiers and a food drive for the Montrose VA Food Pantry, said Alisa H. Kesten, executive director, The Volunteer Center of United Way.

"We created 'Serve and Learn' to help rekindle a spirit of unity and to provide a constructive way to remember those we lost and those who rose up to serve after 9/11," she said, "We could not have predicted that the need for volunteers would intensify at this time, but we are prepared to make hundreds of connections between worthy nonprofits and local residents eager to give back."

Volunteer placement specialists will be on hand with iPads, courtesy of Optimum Lightpath, to make connections on the spot by instantly accessing The Volunteer Center's database of more than 400 hundred local volunteer opportunities. Support for this event is also being provided by Con Edison, Key Bank, Chase Bank, The Rollins Agency, Robison Oil and Shleppers Moving & Storage.

For more about The Volunteer Center of United Way, visit www.volunteer-center.org.

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