Red Cross answers call for help
(Hartford-WTNH) _ As people in Oklahoma and Kansas try to piece their lives back together following the deadly tornadoes, there is already a massive relief effort underway. Right here in Connecticut the devastation has brought out a desire to help out.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer has the story.

When a disaster strikes like the tornado in Oklahoma, Connecticut residents help out any way they can.

Brandee Stefano, Wethersfield: "When I see things on TV, the first thing is how can I help, what I can do."

Bob Paridy, West Hartford: "Because I am not there to help, what I am doing here (giving blood) is my own way of helping those people out."

A blood drive in Hartford Tuesday had a steady stream of volunteers. Some come regularly, others feel compelled to help out after a tragedy.

Stefano: "When you see something like that it really hits home. It could be you, it could be your family going through it."

The donations collected here probably won't make it to Oklahoma because right now there is a blood shortage in Connecticut, but if there was an excess and another state needed it Connecticut would send relief.

Still, calls at the Red Cross are pouring in.

Lori Owen, American Red Cross: "We look for not only monetary donations but human power helps, because we definitely need people's time and energy to go out and help meet these other people's emergency needs."

Often people want to help but don't know how, but relief agencies say all you need to do is call.

Owen: "It might be something like getting trained in emergency services, where you could go out out on a disaster, or it could be something more behind the scenes like helping with fundraising, or helping in the communications department getting the word out to the press."

People need to take a free course from the Red Cross before they can become volunteers.

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