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Volunteers
bolster staff at Red Cross chapter
July 22, 2003
MELISSA
A. CHADWICK
Observer-Dispatch
HERKIMER -- The staff of the Mohawk Valley Chapter
of the American Red Cross increased when two AmeriCorps
volunteers joined the organization at the end of May.
The
volunteers -- Lea Guerra, 21, of Herkimer, and Tom Lang,
21, of Newport -- will work at the chapter for 10 months.
They'll tackle outreach, education and other programs,
Executive Director Andria DeLisle-Heath said.
"Prior
to their arrival, there were key elements of the chapter's
goals that we just couldn't get to," she said.
"Now, we've created a volunteer department, youth
services and have more time for recruitment."
Guerra
and Lang, whose positions are funded by the federal
department of Homeland Security, are given a $9,600
living stipend during their employment, and $4,725 toward
their college education upon the completion of 1,700
hours of work, she said.
The
federal grant is funded for three years, she said.
AmeriCorps,
which Lang describes as a "domestic version of
the Peace Corps to promote better living and stronger
communities," places volunteers in communities
nationwide.
There
are 5,800 AmeriCorps volunteers serving in New York
state, according to its Web site.
"This
is a rewarding position as opposed to donating money
and not seeing what it goes toward," Lang said.
"It's refreshing to come here and see the generosity
and care people have. There are people willing to do
philanthropical work and put others before themselves."
Guerra
and Lang are taking time off from their college educations
to participate in the program. They will return to school
in fall 2004.
Guerra,
who took nursing courses at Mohawk Valley Community
College and plans to be a nurse, has been organizing
volunteers for parades and the Herkimer County Fair.
She also went with disaster services director Kelly
Brown to a recent fire in Little Falls that left seven
people homeless.
"They
had nothing left," Guerra said. "We gave them
vouchers for clothing and food. Then we just comforted
them."
Lang,
who will be a senior at the University of Buffalo and
is studying political science, has been coordinating
youth services and projects. He's collecting supplies
for local schools from area businesses.
The
pair hopes to recruit more volunteers for the chapter
and leave the chapter better than it is, Guerra said.
For
information about giving blood, volunteering or other
programs, call Guerra or Lang at 866-2890.
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