The Fort Leonard Wood American Red Cross hosted an open house Friday to celebrate the organization's recent move to Building 470.
According to Gabriela Gallagher, Service to Armed Forces Regional Program manager, the move was made to help facilitate the organization's role as volunteer hub for Fort Leonard Wood.
"Being in Building 470 allows us to serve the community from a centralized location, and gives us more visibility," Gallagher said. "We moved mid November 2016 to Room 1130."
Although the Army Volunteer Corps at Army Community Service still holds oversight of the volunteer program, as the largest volunteer organization in the United States, the ARC has extensive experience with recruitment, onboarding and volunteer placement.
"We provide information on volunteer opportunities on Fort Leonard Wood and in the surrounding communities with various organizations and locations," Gallagher said.
She added, the ARC also provides individualized support during application and referral process.
Rhonda Hutsell, Army Volunteer Corps coordinator, said volunteer services are beneficial to the community.
"The Army Volunteer Corps Program and American Red Cross assists many organizations by partnering, and promoting cohesive teams and enhancing the quality of life in our communities," Hutsell said.
As the new volunteer hub, the organization provides:
-- 'One-stop-shop' for information on individual volunteer opportunities;
-- Information and referral of volunteer opportunities based on preferences, building-, maintaining-, or improving skills, and volunteer availability;
-- Assistance with application, background check procedures, registration, and placement process;
-- Resources and facilitation training for volunteer needs;
-- Assistance, training and ongoing support with Volunteer Management Information System;
-- Promotion of organizations and their volunteer opportunities.
Aside from volunteer services, the ARC also provides service members with assistance with emergency communication and financial services. They offer pre-and post-deployment briefings, dental assistant training, workshops that help service members reconnect with Families and community assistance through events such as blood drives, disaster services and health/safety training.
"Volunteers play a critical role within our organization. Without them, we wouldn't be able to deliver key services and serve communities," Gallagher said.
To volunteer on Fort Leonard Wood, Gallagher said individuals can visit the office or fill out a VMIS application online.
Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and staff members can be contacted at 573.596.0131, ext. 60300, leonardwood@redcross.org or at facebook.com/arcfortwood.
Related Links:
Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Facebook
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