Make A Difference’s Disaster Response Plan serves to effectively utilize spontaneous volunteers while supporting professional responders. Make A Difference serves state and local needs with the following goals:

1) To provide efficient and effective spontaneous volunteer management to communities in crisis.

2) To support disaster response service agency partners including the, Arizona Department of Emergency Management, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Maricopa County Animal Care & Control and State and Regional VOAD members (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) through expanded volunteer capacity.

3) To increase the number of affiliated volunteers in effective service during times of crisis by a) recruiting and training individuals from local businesses, AmeriCorps programs, faith-based groups and individual community members before a catastrophe hits; and b) educating people on responsible volunteerism and response.

Make A Difference, in partnership with the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona, has been designated as the lead volunteer coordinating agency by the Arizona Department of Emergency Management to manage spontaneous-unaffiliated volunteers in times of state declared disasters. Spontaneous-unaffiliated volunteers - our neighbors and ordinary citizens - often arrive onsite of a disaster ready to help. Yet because they are not associated with any part of an existing emergency response system, their offers to help are often underutilized and even problematic to professional responders.  

Get Trained:

Join the Make A Difference Disaster Response Corps!

The best way to help during a disaster is to be trained BEFORE it happens. Click here for training opportunities.

Get Prepared:

Prepare yourself, your family and your workplace for unexpected emergency situations. Click here for preparedness information.

Give Blood:

During time of crisis and everyday, each blood donation has the power to save as many as three lives. Click below for more information.

Red Cross 1-800-GIVE-LIFE

United Blood Services 480-946-4201

Support volunteer efforts in the Gulf Coast:

Hands On Gulf Coast

Hands On New Orleans

If you have any questions or would like more information about Make A Difference's Disaster Response Plan, please contact Lindsey VerStraeten or 602-973-2212 ext. 228.

Make A Difference is a member of Arizona VOAD.

Special thanks to

Allstate Foundation

 for their generous support

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