March 28, 2024
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Morrison Red Cross volunteer deployed to Oregon for wildfire relief

Dozens of historic deadly wildfires continue to consume millions of acres in the west, especially in California, Oregon and Washington where in some cases entire towns have been destroyed and tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes.

Red Cross volunteer David Boyles, of Morrison, is one of four volunteers who departed in a Red Cross emergency response vehicle to assist those impacted by wildfires in Oregon.

Boyles picked up the emergency response vehicle from the Red Cross office in Rockford, and he and fellow volunteer Bill Elenitsky left for Portland on Sept. 13.

He recently returned from a two-week deployment from Louisiana, where he assisted with Red Cross relief efforts after the widespread devastation brought by Hurricane Laura.

He is joining 52 volunteers from the Illinois region who are currently deployed in Texas, Louisiana and Oregon.

More than 2,000 Red Cross volunteers are assisting communities impacted by disasters across the country.

The emergency response vehicles will aid in disaster relief to mobilize supplies such as food, water and snacks, clean-up kits, and other items once they arrive in Portland.

Boyle's team will join another team of volunteers from the Illinois region.