As a board member for the Louisiana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, HONO's Executive Director, Kellie Bentz, engaged HONO's staff and volunteers in coordinating the volunteer response to the damage caused by Hurricane Gustav. Working out of the Emergency Operations Center, HONO volunteers took shifts in the Emergency Operations Call Center, helping to connect callers with resources to meet their immediate needs.

Upon returning to New Orleans, HONO has established a virtual Volunteer Reception Center that has connected volunteers with relief efforts across the state ranging from aiding in food distribution centers, greeting returning evacuees back to the city, preparing emergency packages of goods at food banks, coordinating the distribution of emergency food stamps, and helping various community centers and nonprofits reorganize their operations in the wake of the hurricane.

If you are interested in being notified of upcoming volunteer opportunities related to Hurricane Gustav, click here.