With the looming threat of Hurricane Milton, non-profit organizations across Metro Detroit, including Disaster Relief at Work (DRAW), have put out an urgent call for volunteers. DRAW is gearing up to distribute cleaning supplies and critical items to communities anticipated to be affected by the hurricane. According to ClickOnDetroit, volunteer efforts are concentrated on assembling buckets and organizing inventory to respond to the storm's expected damage.
In a show of solidarity, hundreds of Michigan residents have also headed South to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Milton. Greg Martin, executive director of DRAW, emphasized the necessity of community help stating, “Everything we do, it's a drop in the bucket. But get enough drops, you fill the bucket.” Martin's organization has sent supplies to areas already struck by Hurricane Helene and is bracing for the new challenge posed by Milton, as reported by WXYZ. Furthermore, DTE Energy has dispatched 600 workers to assist with relief efforts in the Southeast.
The American Red Cross Michigan Region has also stepped up its presence, with 66 volunteers from Michigan supporting disaster operations in Southeastern states. The organization is pre-emptively positioning resources in anticipation of Milton's arrival. Latoysa "Toy" Rooks, a regional disaster officer, underscored the significance of preparedness, stressing “We are racing against the clock to ensure we have our volunteers ready, that we have shelters staffed and relief supplies ready to go.” This information was detailed in an update by the Red Cross.
DRAW has already organized volunteer sessions for assembling aid items, and with further supply trucks set to head South, the necessity for continuing volunteer support is clear. Greg Martin insightfully noted, "In the worst of times, you see the best of people, and that’s what I've seen over the course of time. As heartbreaking as it is, you hope that this energy can bring some hope in really dark times,” capturing the essence of the ongoing relief efforts, as detailed by WXYZ.