Jul 14, 2011

Join the Jewish Volunteer Emergency Response Team

Hurricane season began June 1. While natural disasters cannot be averted, the best defense in dealing with them is to be prepared. For the seventh consecutive year, the Jewish Volunteer Center of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is continuing its campaign to organize the Jewish Volunteer Emergency Response Team (JVERT), a data base of volunteers who will be called upon to assist in the event of a hurricane or other emergency in the community.

Volunteers of all ages are invited to attend Volunteer Emergency Responder Training and Orientation on Thursday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. Light refreshments will be served.

Training, provided by Nechama, will consist of how to lead volunteers in projects after a natural disaster; how to respond to a disaster quickly and effectively; and stress management. Training is highly recommended and encouraged.

“In the unfortunate event that our community is hit by a hurricane or other natural disaster, this data bank will provide us with a list of names of volunteers who are willing to respond to help others in need. This is a very valuable tool for our community,” said Mark Kravitz, Chair of the Jewish Volunteer Center.

Past volunteer projects have included: clearing away post-hurricane debris; delivering hot meals, ice and supplies to victims; and visits to homebound seniors pre and post hurricane to ensure their safety.

To add your name to the Emergency Volunteer Data Bank, download the JVERT Volunteer Form, complete and submit it, providing contact information, specific skills, access to resources and other information that may be called upon in case of an emergency.

For more information, contact Lori Drutz, Jewish Volunteer Center Director, at 786.866.8414 or email [email protected].