Community Forums

cooncreekers · 09-09-2016, 03:56 PM

Wondering if anyone has ever tried taking your rv,with gen. To boondock,and went to a disaster area to volunteer? Im talking tornadoe,fire,etc.? I know some access might get blocked, but im sure a police dept or fire station could suggest,or coordinate. Hubby n i are recent retirees. Thout about joining a group volunteering,yet rather like the freedom to choose ourselves where to go.hes got the tools,an ive got a pot of soup.just willing workers wed be, any thoughts?

Tha_Rooster · 09-09-2016, 05:10 PM

Long as you park it in a safe place. My father volunteered for the Red Cross during Katrina , due to desperate people they need a police escort so not to get robbed.

mrfuni · 09-09-2016, 05:12 PM

What a wonderful thought! I recently retired and joined the Red Cross. Taking classes and training this month to do the same. Don't know if I'll use the RV, but I can if the situation warrants it.

Bigd9 · 09-09-2016, 05:20 PM

Yes, go to a disaster with an organized group. If you just show up in a major disaster area you may be turned away. The problem is disasters attract a lot of people, some not so nice ones, and it is sometimes impossible to distinguish between the good and the bad until it's too late.

I have seen many church groups doing charitable work, Woodman's of America, Boy and Girl Scout and so so many others. They all did different things and all were greatly appreciated and needed. During Hurricane Katrina, a member of this iRV2 group came in with a church group in his motorhome and he and his lovely wife worked many days in Mississippi. Maybe he will chime in shortly. Also consider the myriad of liability and insurance issues. Major disasters are ....well disaster areas. Sometimes they are dangerous places.

Good luck, and Thank You for wanting to help, but please don't just show up. Do help, please do, but do it in a organized way. This IS the United States and we do all stick or unite together to help each other out. I have seen a lot of good come out of disasters, its a shame the news media chooses not to show it.

ralphie · 09-09-2016, 05:26 PM

I'm not sure you should try to bring the RV to an area that may have limited facilities. We were scheduled to go help with SS Sandy thru Samaritan's Purse and we were told to bring a cot and sleeping bag and area churches were putting up the volunteers.

KCFDCapt · 09-09-2016, 06:52 PM

I serve the California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministries as a Chaplain and heavy equipment operator. I have worked with the Red Cross as a Chaplain. Our teams have responded to many lands including the Philippines and Nepal. I have had to undergo training and pass a background check in order to receive my ID badge.

We also have a mass feeding kitchen. Our workers are trained and we are subject to health department regulations and inspections. The days of showing up to a disaster site and hanging out a "Y'All come" sign are gone. You should consider going through a disaster relief agency for training and deployment opportunities.

Mike Thomas · 09-09-2016, 07:54 PM

We have worked with Habitat for Humanity RV Caravaners. They are organized, and build homes, and also help out in disasters. Right now they are organizing efforts in Louisiana. Check them out, they know how to use olks in RVs.

phays · 09-09-2016, 08:00 PM

An additional way to help is with the RV Care-A-Vanners. This group of RV'ers works through Habitat for Humanity to aid in rebuilding homes after disasters usually spending two weeks at a location. Check out their web site. The disaster rebuilds are listed with a DR with the location.

If you go to the site you can see that a DR build is going on from Sep 11 -25 in Baton Rouge. They requested 6 rv's but it appears only one signed up.

They also assist the local Habitat for Humanity affiliates with home building throughout the US. This makes a great way for RV'ers to help give back to the community; especially for those of us that full time.

Here's their website RV Care-A-Vanners | Habitat for Humanity Int'l

capecodbob · 09-11-2016, 05:51 PM

Nice thought, not for me, I do the phone donations, The hassle of getting in there , probably get turned around. Better to get close and maybe support the rescue personnel. You no, cook a meal provide eklectricity for charhging etc.

cooncreekers · 09-12-2016, 08:35 AM

Thanks for all the advice,and the links! We started iut thinking about joining SOWERS,but from what i can gather,they mostly work on churches.great idea,but looking for more of helping on a personal level. Mission work is just who we are,but must find a good fit to be fulfilled and successful i think. Definately looking for a Christian group. I once was going thru the training for Red Cross phone coordination after Katrina,and was told you are not allowed to pray with ppl on the phone,as rc is non denominational.that was my last day with that.