Local Red Cross volunteers on standby for Florida duty

Although there are no immediate plans to send volunteers from the American Red Cross Southeast Missouri Chapter to southwest Florida to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Charley, the local chapter does have volunteers on standby.

"We think there's a very good probability they'll be going," said executive director Mary Burton.

In addition to the two volunteers already on standby, Burton said there are about 12 other volunteers who have gone through training and are currently waiting for their paperwork to be completed.

Burton said that starting Monday, the American Red Cross's Southeast Missouri Chapter has been fielding phone calls from people wanting to donate clothes and other items to the hurricane victims.

While the sentiment is great, donating items is not, she said. Burton said the best way to help out hurricane victims is by donating money, which can be used specifically for the needs of the people and will not take up additional resources in order to be distributed.

Burton said donations can be made at the Red Cross chapter at 2430 Myra Drive in Cape Girardeau.

In addition to help from the Red Cross, electric companies like Ameren UE send workers to storm disaster sites to help with electrical line work.

At the present there are no plans to send any Missouri-based Ameren UE workers to Florida, although it is a possibility, said spokesman Mike Cleary.

He said the need for Missouri workers also depends on how fast the cleanup in Florida is progressing. He said utility companies closer to Florida would be called in for assistance before Missouri utility workers would be.