Red Cross opportunities coming to Fairfield

The Fairfield Volunteer Center and the Southern Prairie Chapter of the American Red Cross are joining forces to introduce the Red Cross and its volunteer opportunities to Fairfield from 1:15-2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Fairfield Public Library.

Following a half hour presentation, there will time for question and answers and for assisting those registering as volunteers on the Red Cross website.

The introduction is a free event, and participants are encouraged to bring their laptops.

?[Fairfield Volunteer Center] is excited to be inviting the Red Cross to Fairfield to give this introduction to the community and to help people begin to plug in. We hope to create Disaster Action Teams for all of Jefferson County, and this workshop will serve as the starting point,? said Elaine Hughes, the volunteer center?s executive director. ?We?re also eager to find out if there?s sufficient interest to bring some of the Red Cross trainings, such as CPR, to Fairfield.?

The focus of the workshop will be on Red Cross volunteer opportunities and on how to become a member of a Disaster Action Team in Jefferson County.

Interested participants will receive assistance in registering on the Red Cross website to apply to become a volunteer.

Janelle Schmid, Red Cross AmeriCorps member, who will be giving the presentation, said, ?Whether you come as an individual, or as a member of a group ? families, friends, business teams, church groups, students, service organizations, and Boy and Girl Scout troops ? this is a great chance to learn about the role of the Red Cross in disaster response and how to get involved and receive our excellent training.?

Preregistration is not required, but is appreciated. Sign up by calling 641-209-9045, emailing fairfieldvolunteers@gmail.com or replying to the invitation on Fairfield Volunteer Center?s Facebook page.