I went there this evening after work and was told I needed to sign up and take a class. I signed up and went into this room with a tv. I was told we had an hour long video to watch, then another hour long video, then another hour long video.
At this point I was hesitant, but agreed to watch it. I was hoping somebody would give us the guidelines and what-not needed to help these people who arrived today.
The video started and I start seeing scenes from the movie Backdraft. Then one of the Baldwin brothers introduced himself, then began to discuss the role he played in that movie, the name of the character..etc. I got irritated that I'm having to sit through docu-drama bs rather than learning info that will help me.
The scene changed and it went on to show dramatized workers jumping into their trucks, talking about how great the Red Cross is, and so-on. At this point I got up, walked out, and went to the ladies at the registration desk. I told them that this was a complete waste of time and that it was not in the least bit productive when 1000 people were being bused into the town to add to the probably 1000 we already have. She replied that it was protocol, and that they have to make people watch the movies.
I told her I would be more productive going to the churches and offering my help. She told me that the churches were not allowed to let anybody help out with the hurricane victims without watching the 3 hour long film.
At this point I said I would then go and buy supplies and contact the Salvation Army and PATH to see if they wanted volunteers.
I have limited time with school and work that I can volunteer. It may be 1 hour at a time. Sitting for over 3 hours in a building watching a movie does not help these people.
Sorry for the rant. I'm just irritated right now.
Don't blame you.
East Texas too!
I am glad to know that. I signed up to volunteer, but was not given that info.
This is great info, we have to know where our donation dollars are going. That is total Horse doo doo if this is their protocal. It is no wonder they are always begging for volunteers. I have had little experience with the Red Cross except for CPR training. After Hurricane Andrew hit for the first few days we worked with the PBA in Dade County cooking and serving food for the thousands of Police that had to be in the area working 16 hour days. After that My friends and I volunteered with the Jaycees when we were off duty. We gutted buses and did pickups of planeloads of goods from the Jaycees all over America. We unloaded the Planes on the tarmack and loaded the donations into the buses, and then we took them down to the worst hit areas in Kendall,Perrine,South Dade and Homestead. We drove through neighborhoods standing up on the buses because all the donations took up the room. There was no lettering on any street signs because the wind blew them off. The people were tearful and very thankful,especially for the Diapers and water and Juices.
That would tick me off, too... yet one more reason to donate to Salvation Army.... maybe you should write Bill O'reilly about that one... Red Cross is definitely NOT one of his favorite charities.
Actually that was a most excellent rant. No apologies needed. This reinforces my opinion of the Redd Kross. You'd think they'd be teaching y'all CPR and other emergency procedures, but noooo, you have to watch those leftist Baldwin brothers.
The churches should just take in everyone who can volunteer, and tell the RC to go to hell. There are chores for everyone, not just people with medical certification. All you need is a heart. Hopefully you've had better luck with the Salvation Army.
Btw, good for you for volunteering!