More local volunteers head downstate

NEW YORK, N.Y. (WIVB) - Nine area American Red Cross volunteers were deployed to the storm ravaged region before Hurricane Sandy's arrival. Wednesday morning, 11 additional volunteers will be heading to area.

Red Cross Communications Coordinator Jay Bonafede said, “They'll be helping to shelter and feed people that have been displaced by this storm. There will also be people there to do damages assessments in some of the areas.”

Bonafede said, “One other thing we'll have people do is mental health. We have trained mental health volunteers that will go down and offer emotional support .”

The Red Cross is also urging people to donate blood.