It's only the middle of February, but it's already been a busy year for the American Red Cross. The Tampa Bay chapter has sent dozens of workers to the Northeast to aid the victims of Super Storm Sandy, and it just sent a crew to Mississippi to help in the aid effort in Hattiesburg.
"They were deployed almost instantly whenever we heard there was a need up there," said Janet McGuire, the local chapter's communication director. "Some of our leadership volunteers are up there and they're coordinating all the mass care efforts and setting up the operation up there. "
As a result of the unusually busy season, the organization is desperately in need of donations and volunteers. "We want to get people to make sure they are ready, and trained, so that they can volunteer to help too. We need those volunteers, not just for big disasters across the country, but also the single family fires right here at home."
Officials at the agency say 91 cents of every dollar donated goes to the operation it is intended for.
You can get all the information on making a donation or becoming a volunteer by checking out 'links we mentioned' here on WFLA.COM.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:23 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:23:47 GMT
On Tuesday at about 1:50 a.m., officers with the Brooksville Police Department responded to the Brookhaven Apartments after a report of a Disturbance/Shots Fired complaint.
On Tuesday at about 1:50 a.m., officers with the Brooksville Police Department responded to the Brookhaven Apartments after a report of a Disturbance/Shots Fired complaint.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:18:57 GMT
It's one of the big scandals that's been plaguing President Obama's administration in recent weeks: news that the I-R-S gave special scrutiny to conservative groups, looking for tax- exempt status. About
It's one of the big scandals that's been plaguing President Obama's administration in recent weeks: news that the I-R-S gave special scrutiny to conservative groups, looking for tax- exempt status.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:04 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:04:18 GMT
A proposal to split up the roles of chairman of the board and chief executive at the nation's largest bank came up short at a shareholder meeting held in Tampa on Tuesday. The financial world paid close
A proposal to split up the roles of chairman of the board and chief executive at the nation's largest bank came up short at a shareholder meeting held in Tampa on Tuesday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:30:39 GMT
Steven Vaughan (left) poses with a relative in Bill Murray t-shirts, after claiming $1 million POWERBALL prize at Florida Lottery Headquarters
The Florida Lottery announces that Steven Vaughan, 41, of Seminole, claimed the second $1 million POWERBALL® prize from Saturday night's POWERBALL drawing. The winning numbers from the POWERBALL draw were 10-13-14-22-52,
The Florida Lottery announces that Steven Vaughan, 41, of Seminole, claimed the second $1 million POWERBALL® prize from Saturday night's POWERBALL drawing. The winning numbers from the POWERBALL draw were 10-13-14-22-52,
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:07 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:07:07 GMT
The USF baseball players need no reminder the program hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2002. "Oh man, the coaches are always dwelling on it, and we're always thinking about it," said outfielder James
The USF baseball players need no reminder the program hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2002.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:05 AM EDT2013-05-21 09:05:01 GMT
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:59 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:59:20 GMT
An 18-year-old woman charged with lewd and lascivious battery of a child 12 to 16 years old has to decide whether or not to take the plea deal on the charge. Kaitlyn Hunt faces charges for a relationship
An 18-year-old woman charged with lewd and lascivious battery of a child 12 to 16 years old has to decide whether or not to take the plea deal on the charge. Kaitlyn Hunt faces charges for a relationship
Monday, May 20 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:59:30 GMT
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:32 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:32:24 GMT
Rescue crews are working through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Rescue crews are working through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:13 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:13:03 GMT
A homeless man whose face was mostly chewed off in a bizarre attack last year in Miami has learned to play guitar as he continues treatment for his injuries.
A homeless man whose face was mostly chewed off in a bizarre attack last year in Miami has learned to play guitar as he continues treatment for his injuries.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:59 GMT
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
