The Red Cross established a shelter for evacuees of the Seeley Fire at the Wellington LDS Stake Center when mandatory evacuations for Hiawatha, Scofield and Clear Creek went into effect on Wednesday.
Approximately five evacuees have taken advantage of the shelter. Olivia Moreton, Disaster Services Chairman for the Red Cross, said they are not in need of any supplies at this time.
Although no supplies are needed, Moreton expressed the importance of becoming a Red Cross Volunteer.
“Anything can happen at any time, you just never know. Prepare and plan, sign up to be a volunteer, get trained and wait to be helpful,” she said. “The value of having localВ Red Cross volunteers is that they are helping their neighbors. Neighbors helping neighbors, trained Red Cross neighbors helping neighbors, is the way to go. We currently have no Red Cross Volunteers in Carbon County.”
To become a Red Cross Volunteer, you can visit the organization’s website at www.utahredcross.org, and fill out a volunteer form.
“Some of the training can be done online, and all of the training is free,” said Moreton. “All of the money that funds Red Cross activities is the donated dollar. Most of the work done inВ serving disasters is done by volunteers. Very few staff are paid staff with Red Cross. This is a volunteer organization, and my role as Disaster Services Chairman is a volunteer position.”
Moreton and fellow Red Cross Volunteer Chris Briggs, expressed gratitude to local businesses that have made donations. В Price Wal Mart donated water and snacks, a local Subway donated sandwiches, and Little Caesar’s Pizza has donated pizza. В Moreton also expressed gratitude for the 50 local residents that had stopped by the shelter to see if they could help in any way.
Moreton reported that the shelter would remain active until it was no longer needed.
“It will all depend on the fire,” she said.
The shelter is located in the Wellington LDS Stake Center at 950 E Main Street.