Local Red Cross volunteer workforce providing disaster relief doubles over the weekend

While families across Indiana enjoyed Mother's Day activities over the weekend, Red Cross volunteers left their homes and families to reach out to people in need in Tennessee and Kentucky. The total number of Red Cross disaster volunteers from central and east-central Indiana providing relief now stands at 20.

Five volunteers left on Saturday. Jennifer Jansen of Indianapolis and Dianne Delaney of Greenwood are serving as client caseworkers in Kentucky while Jeff Evans of Indianapolis provides casework in Tennessee. Jim Tharp and John Keesling, both of Muncie supervise shelters in Tennessee.

Volunteers Jan Ferland of Indianapolis and Frank Kominowski of Martinsville left on Sunday. Ferland and Kominowski are providing mobile feeding from an Emergency Response Vehicle in Tennessee.

Three volunteers left Monday morning for Kentucky. Judy Summers of Greenwood and Jim Auner of Fishers will drive mobile feeding routes distributing meals and snacks. Bob Bricker of Anderson will act as a facilities supervisor, acquiring and managing facilities in support of the relief operation.

Ten other local Red Crossers continue to volunteer for relief efforts in Tennessee: Mary Frances Friedl of Rushville, Kay Litteral of Montpelier, Barbara Cross, Dorann Ramsey and Andy Umberger of Muncie, Lori Burts of Indianapolis, Rick Gilmore of Fishers, Tanya Howe of Frankfort and Stephen Schiller and Rodney Smith, both of Carmel.

Help people affected by disasters by donating to the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis Local Disaster Relief Fund. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. Contributions to the Greater Indianapolis Red Cross Local Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, 441 E. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-3388. Contributions can also be made by calling 317-684-1441. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.indyredcross.org.