Red Cross volunteers from the Blue Ridge Chapter have been in the Gulf Port for almost a week now, working vigorously to aid those in need.

Each of the four volunteers from the area has been assigned a different task, such as updating shelters or overseeing the deployment of supplies.

Blue Ridge Emergency Services Director, Robin Massey, writes home saying working in the extreme conditions has been an eye-opening experience.

"As you can imagine, the stress factor is off the charts. It is so hard to believe the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina."

The Blue Ridge chapter of the Red Cross is going to train an additional 100 volunteers this weekend to send down south.

If you would like to become a volunteer, you can call the Blue Ridge Chapter at 540-886-9151.