HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -
A group of Red Cross volunteers from Virginia is headed to Kentucky to help tornado victims in the heart of the disaster area. Twenty-two people died as a result of Friday's twisters and storms in Kentucky.
Jack O'Regan, a Va. Capital Red Cross volunteer left his home in South Boston, like he has more than 15 times before to help those need. "They're all different, you don't really know what to expect, you know it's a disaster. That is why they call them disasters, it's not going to be nice," said O'Regan.
O'Regan, along with his fellow volunteer, Robert Martin of King George County will be traveling in a specially equipped Red Cross box truck full of supplies. The pair's exact mission is yet to be determined. "If we are feeding we will be loading food at a kitchen, we may be feeding people in neighborhoods or helping out with distribution of things like cleaning supplies," said O'Regan.
Virginia Lieutenant Governor, Bill Bolling stopped by the Red Cross warehouse Tuesday to meet with the volunteers before they left for Kentucky.
Bolling also delivered a proclamation from Governor Bob McDonnell declaring March as Red Cross Month. "It is important everyone understands the Red Cross is there to help for national emergencies, but they are also the first ones to help out on scene at a house fire anywhere in Virginia," said Lt. Governor Bolling.
Today, the American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. Through a worldwide network, the American Red Cross also provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world.
