Red Cross planning five new locations

PARKERSBURG - The Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross will establish new locations in five counties thanks to an AmeriCorps Program grant worth more than $100,000, an official said.

"This (grant) means that we will be able to offer an expanded amount of services throughout our entire service area," said Sharon Kesselring, program director for the Red Cross.

The grant money will allow the Red Cross to open locations in Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane and Calhoun counties and will give 10 people the opportunity to provide their communities services that relate to disaster preparedness.

"We will have actual physical locations in these counties to better serve the people there," Kesselring said.

Beginning Oct. 1, Red Cross will place two AmeriCorps members each in of the five counties to work within the assigned county to recruit and train adult volunteers for emergency preparedness and establish youth-oriented Red Cross Clubs. More specifically, members will train residents in CPR and first aid, shelter operations and mass care functions to be ready for when disasters do occur, Kesselring said.

These members will also recruit volunteers in order to establish county-based shelter teams and collaborate with community partners in disaster drills. All Red Cross services available at the Wood County headquarters in Parkersburg will be available in a central county location for the convenience of county residents.

The AmeriCorps Program grant is valued at roughly $125,000 and will be used to prepare county citizens to effectively respond to individual, family and group emergencies.

"It is a substantial grant, but it doesn't cover all of our costs and the chapter is looking for more funding," Kesselring said.

The grand money and addition funding will help pay for the offices, programs and services as well as members.

The 10 members chosen for the program will receive a yearly living stipend of $11,400 with health and child care options available as well as the opportunity to be awarded a $4,725 educational benefit for use at a qualified higher education institution of the member's choice after successful completion of the first year of service. These member positions are under agreement for one year and renewable for succeeding years.

"This program will not only benefit communities and families in these outlying counties, but it will also benefit the individuals," Kesselring said. "I think it will give 10 people an opportunity to hone the skills they have now and develop new skills to help their neighbors in times of need."

While initial screening for AmeriCorps members has begun, all 10 full-time member positions are open for application.