John Dowd at Hancock Airport Wednesday morning
/ photo: Brandon Roth
SYRACUSE -- A local Red Cross volunteer is on his way downstate to help those affected by the recent storms and floods.
John Dowd, an American Red Cross of Central New York region volunteer from Auburn, is heading down to New York City to help with relief from Tropical Storm Irene. He boarded a plane this morning at Hancock International Airport for the short flight to New York.
John's primary function will be to help those affected by the storm find lodging and fill out insurance claims. He says he volunteered to help immediately, and says even those who can't leave Central New York can still help with the relief efforts.
"We need donations. If people can't go they can give 10 or 15 dollars. If enough people give that will help," he says.
Dowd, a seven-year veteran volunteer with the Red Cross, has assisted in several disaster relief operations. Most recently he traveled to Springfield, Massachussetts to help out after a tornado swept through that region this past June.
Dowd will be in the New York City area for two weeks. He is the fifth volunteer from the CNY chapter to deploy in support of Irene relief efforts.
For information on how to assist those affected by Irene, visit the Red Cross website by clicking here.
