Safe Volunteer ideas during pandemic?

[athena53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollystomper I'll be donating blood this week. I used to do it on and off, but years ago I got a letter from the red cross saying that my blood was missing some "thing" (germ or virus or whatever, cannot remember) that 90% of the population has, and because of that my blood was much safer to use with infants and young children. Since then I have tried to give more regularly.

Most likely CMV. I know I'm CMV-positive, which is apparently not a big deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBAustin I used to give blood regularly with extra care because of generally low blood pressure. About 12 years ago I nevertheless passed out cold after donating twice in a row (several months apart). <snip>DD suggested I eat a large meal an hour or two before going and to be super well hydrated.

Like you, I've got borderline-low BP and I'm also a lightweight. I've had a few faint spells after donating and now I'm very careful to hydrate and eat a good meal first and I'm fine. Good luck!

[Moemg]

I think a nice thing to do during the shut down is call people who you know live alone just to check on them and also give them time to vent .

[Gumby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg I think a nice thing to do during the shut down is call people who you know live alone just to check on them and also give them time to vent .

A most excellent suggestion! Also safe and easy to do.

[OldShooter]

Ref my post #13, here is a list I got from my local chapter this morning. In ARC lingo "virtual" means done from home:

Virtual Opportunities include:

• Disaster Action Team (DAT) Duty Officer: An American Red Cross Duty Officer immediately dispatches
disaster responders to fires, floods, and tornadoes at a moment’s notice. Serve your community by
assisting those affected by disasters by becoming a qualified disaster dispatcher in less than 8 hours!

• Media Relations: Media Relations volunteers are part of a professional volunteer team that develops
and delivers the Red Cross story behind-the-scenes, on-camera, in-person and online through media
channels, websites, social media feeds and other content platforms.

• Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Caseworker: SAF Caseworkers provide virtual support to active
military members, veterans, and their families while working remotely from their home or in our office.
Training provided; no experience required.

• Volunteer Scheduler: Schedulers work to ensure that blood drives have the appropriate number of
volunteers scheduled to support and prepared for that blood drive. May schedule shifts for volunteers
on their behalf but will also work to educate volunteers on how to self-schedule online.

• Volunteer Screener: Gathers relevant information about prospective volunteer candidates while
assessing which positions volunteers are best suited for. Provides an excellent experience for all new
volunteers joining the American Red Cross!

Your local chapter may have different needs, of course.

[Lewis Clark]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldShooter Ref my post #13, here is a list I got from my local chapter this morning. In ARC lingo "virtual" means done from home: Virtual Opportunities include: • Disaster Action Team (DAT) Duty Officer: An American Red Cross Duty Officer immediately dispatches disaster responders to fires, floods, and tornadoes at a moment’s notice. Serve your community by assisting those affected by disasters by becoming a qualified disaster dispatcher in less than 8 hours! • Media Relations: Media Relations volunteers are part of a professional volunteer team that develops and delivers the Red Cross story behind-the-scenes, on-camera, in-person and online through media channels, websites, social media feeds and other content platforms. • Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Caseworker: SAF Caseworkers provide virtual support to active military members, veterans, and their families while working remotely from their home or in our office. Training provided; no experience required. • Volunteer Scheduler: Schedulers work to ensure that blood drives have the appropriate number of volunteers scheduled to support and prepared for that blood drive. May schedule shifts for volunteers on their behalf but will also work to educate volunteers on how to self-schedule online. • Volunteer Screener: Gathers relevant information about prospective volunteer candidates while assessing which positions volunteers are best suited for. Provides an excellent experience for all new volunteers joining the American Red Cross! Your local chapter may have different needs, of course.

Thanks for sharing!

[athena53]

A happy update from the blood center- mine no longer takes walk-ins because they've had such an overwhelming number. You need an appointment. They sometimes show up all at once (probably after work) and then they can't exercise proper social distancing. One phlebotomist told me he's seeing lots of new faces. I suppose the demand has slowed a bit, too, since elective surgery is being postponed.

I hope this continues even after the dust has settled.