Central Illinois was well represented in aiding those in the path of Hurricane Isaac in August.

The American Red Cross sent several thousands volunteers to the southern part of the nation to aid those who were forced to evacuate their homes as a result of the hurricane. Executive Director of the Mid-Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross, Carl Baker says five volunteers from their service areas of DeWitt, Macon, Moultry and Shelby Counties went down to aid folks from Mississippi to Florida.

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Each volunteer has an area in which they are able to help. Baker explains before they leave to help with a disaster, they will be ready for what they are going to help with because that is an area of strength for them.

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Baker says going to help with these situations is a great opportunity for their volunteers. He says not only do they come back with great ideas from other chapters in other areas, but he says they make friends they keep in touch with even after they leave working together.

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When volunteers are deployed to these areas to give help during and after natural disasters, the Red Cross pays for their travel expenses, and have them prepared for what they will be doing when they get there. The Red Cross volunteers totaled 3500 volunteers and over 30 central Illinois volunteers went down to the Gulf Coast.