SEAFORD, DE – October 22, 2007: The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula will be holding a Volunteer Orientation on Monday, October 30, 2007 at the Emergency Operations Center in Dover. The Center is located at 911 Public Safety Blvd. and will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Why is YOUR local Red Cross seeking volunteers? Volunteers make up more than 95% of our work force, providing many of the Red Cross life-saving services that your local community depends on. With the upcoming Winter season drawing near, families and businesses on the Delmarva Peninsula will be at risk of weather-related emergencies. They can count on their local Red Cross, and trained local Red Cross volunteers, to open disaster shelters and care for those families left temporarily homeless.

There are many ways that volunteers help the Red Cross. These include:

Disaster Responders
Bad weather, floods and other emergencies can strike at any time. Help your community by taking FREE Red Cross disaster training and learn how to staff an emergency shelter, or become a Disaster Action Team volunteer, assisting families left homeless after fires, floods or other disasters. All disaster training is free and equips people with the skills they need to help others. Disaster volunteers respond at all hours of the night and the position takes time, training, commitment and good health. FREE DISASTER TRAINING IS PROVIDED FOR DISASTER RESPONDERS!

Disaster Preparedness Presenters
Do you enjoy public speaking? Are you willing to commit to a comprehensive training program to deliver a pre-packaged PowerPoint presentation to business and community groups? Presentations will generally be in the day-time and last around 2 hours.

Health and Safety Instructors
Volunteers can be trained to become certified American Red Cross Instructors in First Aid, CPR, Babysitting, Pet First Aid, and CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Experience in public speaking, teaching or group presentations is preferred.

Lifeline Installers
Lifeline is an easy-to-use personal medical alert service that ensures that older adults living at home get quick assistance in an emergency - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Help a senior citizen increase his or her independence and sense of self-sufficiency by becoming a Lifeline installer.

Community Events
Volunteers who enjoy meeting people are needed to staff Red Cross tables at these events. This is an opportunity to meet your neighbors and educate them about the work the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula does in their communities and the importance of preparing for emergencies.

There are other volunteer opportunities to suit many different talents and interests. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Please sign up to attend a volunteer orientation by calling 302-472-6240 or 800-877-6620, ext. 6240 or emailing info@redcrossdelmarva.org.