Ball State University student volunteers play an important role in the local American Red Cross chapter, Kay Renoe, director of volunteer youth and community programs, said.
The Hoosier Heartland chapter of the American Red Cross hosted a volunteer orientation for Ball State students Tuesday and Wednesday.
"We love them; our BSU students are awesome," she said.
Kay Renoe welcomed Ball State students, gave them a brief history of the Red Cross and explained who they would be helping.
"It's important to know who you're volunteering for," she said
Volunteers help military members exchange messages with their families, Renoe said.
She said the local chapter has a program called Canteen, in which student volunteers, when called, respond to fires and search-and-rescue parties to provide emergency personnel with food and water.
"We only go to the ones we're called to," she said.
The American Red Cross provided assistance to emergency workers during the New Castle prison riot, Renoe said.
Renoe said public education is another important role for student volunteers.
Volunteers participate in programs such as Basic Aid Training, which helps boy scouts and girl scouts earn badges by training them in first aid.
Aleah Coleman, senior communications studies major, started at the local Red Cross during an internship. When the internship ended, she began volunteering.
"I am fascinated by what the Red Cross does, and [I] want to help people," she said.
The Red Cross needs more students to volunteer, Renoe said.
"It takes a lot of volunteers for the Red Cross to function," she said.
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