By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
It’s Americorps Week for the American Red Cross and it’s no different for the Crawford County chapter of the national service organization.
“It’s a celebration and to make the public aware of what Americorps is,” said Jim Gray, a Bucyrus Timken retiree who has been actively involved in Americorps for a couple of years. “We’ve been compared to a domestic version of the Peace Corps.”
Americorps volunteers with the Red Cross can be involved in a myriad of service opportunities in their local communities. Some help with the blood donor efforts, others in serving men and women in the Armed Forces and their families, and others help recruit Red Cross volunteers. Still others are involved in disaster aid all over the United States.
“I personally am a CDE, Community Disaster Education,” Gray said. “I go into schools and civic organizations and talk about being ‘Red Cross ready’. I also try to recruit volunteers for the Red Cross.”
Gray says he wants to get the word out about Red Cross programs of all kinds, whether it is water safety, the well-known Blood Mobiles, disaster-related programs, or other programs he teaches and shares.
He noted all it takes is a phone call to 419-562-4357 to get in touch and set up a convenient time for him to come to a school, workplace, or organization to present any of the Red Cross programs. He did say, if possible, he would like a week’s notice.
Gray also points out there is a real need locally for people to become involved with the Crawford County Chapter of the Red Cross.
“In the Galion, Crestline and Bucyrus area we are in need of volunteers to staff the local offices,” Gray said.
Gray says his two-year stint with Americorps will come to an end in September. He says it is a great way to serve the local community for people who are retired or even recent high school or college graduates. Those interested in learning more about Americorps and Red Cross volunteer opportunities should call 419-562-4357.