Looking to help with tornado relief? Sinclair can match you with volunteer work

DAYTON — After more than a dozen tornadoes ripped through the Miami Valley on Memorial Day night, many people are looking for ways to help with relief efforts.

For those looking for ways to give back, Sinclair Community College is one place people can go to find work.

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While it’s been a week since 15 tornadoes hit, volunteers are still desperately needed.

“In the beginning of a disaster situation there are lots of opportunities to meaningfully act because there’s so much work to do,” said Laura Mercer, coordinator of Sinclair’s disaster response. 

However, as time goes on, finding help can become complicated.

“It’s critically important that we get volunteers registered so we know who they are, what they’re capable of and what they’re interests are so we can use them long term,” said Mercer.

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Right now, Sinclair’s disaster response team is working to get volunteers to help at St. Vincent de Paul, churches providing shelter, sorting donations and cleaning up debris and downed trees.

“There are all kinds of volunteers out there,” said Matt Briggs, Sinclair maintenance supervisor.

Briggs has taken on the role of leading volunteers out into the field every day since the tornadoes hit.

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“Now we’re going into people’s yards, trying to get the trees away from power lines and get them out to the street where they can pick them up,” he said.