Southern Wisconsin has seen its share of natural hardships in the past year, from torrential rains last August to a winter of record snowfall to some of the worst and most widespread flooding ever seen earlier this summer.
The federal and state governments have been quick to respond to the disasters, as have area residents eager to help out their neighbors.
Now, the state has launched a volunteer initiative to make future strong responses even better.
The state Citizen Corps Council and Wisconsin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster have formed the Wisconsin Emergency Volunteer - WeVolunteer.
Its purpose will be to encourage and prepare Wisconsin citizens to volunteer during emergencies and disasters.
The initiative will bring together government and emergency response agencies, nonprofit disaster service groups and private citizens to increase the number of volunteers.
The state should be applauded for taking this step. Its benefit could reach across the state during a possible August drought, or another winter of heavy snow.
Through the initiative, residents can find more than 35 non-profit disaster service organizations with more than 200 local chapters on WeVolunteer.wi.gov.
Additionally, a statewide volunteer registry under development will allow citizens to enroll themselves in a volunteer database, giving emergency responders the ability to search for volunteers with particular skills and call them when the need arises.
The state has taken another step in making sure residents around Wisconsin will have adequate help when needed. Now it's up to residents to come forward and volunteer their services.
Only then will WeVolunteer be successful.
The federal and state governments have been quick to respond to the disasters, as have area residents eager to help out their neighbors.
Now, the state has launched a volunteer initiative to make future strong responses even better.
The state Citizen Corps Council and Wisconsin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster have formed the Wisconsin Emergency Volunteer - WeVolunteer.
Its purpose will be to encourage and prepare Wisconsin citizens to volunteer during emergencies and disasters.
The initiative will bring together government and emergency response agencies, nonprofit disaster service groups and private citizens to increase the number of volunteers.
The state should be applauded for taking this step. Its benefit could reach across the state during a possible August drought, or another winter of heavy snow.
Through the initiative, residents can find more than 35 non-profit disaster service organizations with more than 200 local chapters on WeVolunteer.wi.gov.
Additionally, a statewide volunteer registry under development will allow citizens to enroll themselves in a volunteer database, giving emergency responders the ability to search for volunteers with particular skills and call them when the need arises.
The state has taken another step in making sure residents around Wisconsin will have adequate help when needed. Now it's up to residents to come forward and volunteer their services.
Only then will WeVolunteer be successful.
