The Selma Times-Journal

The Red Cross is looking for volunteers.

In the wake of the Feb. 17 storms that damaged much of the Summerfield area, the local Red Cross agency is hoping more Dallas County residents will sign on to help out.

“We desperately need volunteers,” Jakki Caldwell-Phillips, director of the local Red Cross agency, said. “The storms last week really showed our weaknesses, and really showed that we need more people to come on board. Instances such as [Summerfield] are why it’s critical for the local community to support the Red Cross.”

The Red Cross brought in an emergency response vehicle with cleanup supplies and kits and an assessment team the day after the storms hit, Caldwell-Phillips said.

March is Red Cross month. Here’s what to do to become a volunteer: fill out a short application and submit to a background check.

For more information, potential volunteers can come to Friday’s open house,

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Red Cross office at 812 Selma Avenue.

“The Open House is designed to expose Selma to their local Red Cross office, so that we can share the mission and share our resources with other partnering agencies, but mainly we want to share with the community,” Phillips said.

At the open house, a jewelry showcase will be open, featuring the “Treasure Chest” fundraisers. There will be costume, designer and sterling jewelry available from a variety of brands. On the list are Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Juicy.

The prices for jewelry start at $5 and go up, and proceeds go to the local Dallas County Disaster Relief Fund, Caldwell-Phillips said.

The Red Cross will also offer disaster preparedness training

at the Selma office this month.

“We want everyone to be Red Cross ready,” Caldwell-Phillips said, following three steps: Getting a disaster kit, making a disaster plan, and being informed.

The Shelter Operations class, part of the training, will be in the office

at 6 p.m., March 11.

Anyone interested needs to call ahead to register, as space is limited, Caldwell-Phillips said.