Volunteers for the
Distribution Center

There is a need for volunteers each morning, afternoon, and evening in our Distribution Center and warehouse. In order to make sure we have enough, as well as not have too many, we are asking you to register yourself or your group for the day(s) and times you are able to work.

 
 

What will I be doing?

Many of you are asking what type of work you will be doing here. We regret that we are unable to take the time to visit with you each by phone to attempt to answer these questions, but here is an overview.

• Some will be working in the tents to unload and organize items in the distribution area.
  
• Some will be Personal Shopping Assistants. These “PSAs” assist when a storm survivor comes through our Distribution Center, talking with them upfront to understand their situation and escorting them through the goods to assist with their shopping. It is the personal touch that makes all the difference.

 What about my children?

 Several people have asked if we have jobs for children. We did at first when everything was scattered throughout our building. Now that we are streamlined outside in tents with trucks and forklifts operating, it is a more dangerous environment for children. Therefore, we encourage you to make other plans for your children.

  Will we need to sign a waiver?

  Yes, you will need to sign a waiver when you arrive.  If you would like, you can go ahead and download it here and bring it with you.

  Click Here for Waiver 

Volunteers for
Construction Workers

During the first week we sent out over 8,000 people into the city to help with the cleanup, debris removal, storing of family items, and chain saw work. Now as things are progressing throughout the city, we are transitioning out of cleanup mode and into the rebuilding stage. If you would like to help in this stage, here is what we are organizing and proposing.

 


Volunteer Marketplace

There are a lot of factors that can play a part in when, where, and how we are able to help in the rebuilding stage. It may be that the homeowner has a need but is limited by a lack of supplies, a delay in insurance or FEMA checks, city moratoriums on building or other legal issues, the necessity of waiting on a building inspection, or perhaps waiting for the electrician to finish before the sheet-rockers can go to work, for example. The multitude of timing issues such as these must be considered and volunteers must realize it is difficult to match up willing workers on any given day with an appropriate need.

In response to this need, we have created the Volunteer Marketplace. Using this online registration, you are able to list the work and skills you can provide as a volunteer, the equipment you have available to use, and the time frame that you have open.
We consider all these factors along with the
requests of the storm survivors to make a
connection between the two parties.

Sometimes there are jobs you may do independently; sometimes you will be grouped together with others to get the task accomplished. Through the Volunteer Marketplace we are attempting to utilize as many resources as possible to be most effective.

*If you have heavy equipment,
make sure to note that as well.

   There are some instances when individuals or groups are arriving on site with the expectation of sending part of their group on a work crew into the city’s affected areas.

   If we have had requests for work crews that day, then you are welcome to tackle those projects.

  If we have no work crew requests at the time, we can only refer you to other groups such AmeriCorp.

    Again, as we have transitioned from the cleanup phase to the rebuilding phase, it is more difficult for homeowners and volunteers to coordinate the timing of projects.  Thank you for being patient and flexible and for registering in advance.