Giving back to friends and neighbors has always been a strong trait in Oklahomans. Grady County residents are being encouraged to serve others by becoming a volunteer for the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross will hold a volunteer orientation from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Canadian Valley Technology Center, 1401 W. Michigan in Chickasha. The event is free and open to anyone who'd like to learn more about the myriad of opportunities available to Red Crosss volunteers.

Participants will learn about the Red Cross mission of disaster relief and emergency preparedness, as well as the history of the organization in America and throughout the world. More than 90 percent of the work of the Red Cross is carried out by volunteers, who are the backbone of the organization. Volunteers serve as CPR instructors, lifeguards, Disaster Action Team members and much more.

Barbara Higgins of Chickasha is a Disaster Action Team member for Grady County. She said the experience is rewarding because she can provide direct support and comfort to people who are hurting after a disaster. Higgins goes to house and apartment fires to meet people's immediate needs of a place to stay and a warm meal to eat.

"The Red Cross gives me a way to help people who are in a crisis," she said. "It's so good to see people go from feeling despair to feeling hope. We would love to have more local people who can serve in Grady county."

To learn more about the July 16 volunteer orientation or other volunteer opportunities, call the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma at (405) 228-9500.

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