United Way needs volunteers now to answer 2-1-1 help line

If you can spare 4 hours between now and next Friday, the United Way of Central Alabama needs you to help people affected by the tornado find the assistance that is available. Use this e-mail address — hhutchinson@uwca.org — to respond if you are willing to help answer calls to the 2-1-1 Help Line.

Here’s what you do as a volunteer, after receiving brief training:
- Receive incoming calls for assistance from people affected by the tornado
- Log them into a database
- Provide them with answers to questions and assistance that will be outlined in your brief trainin

Here’s where you have to go, after you sign up: United Way of Center Alabama, 3600 8th Ave South in Birmingham. People are working right now and shifts begin at the following times: 4 a.m., 8 a.m., Noon, 4 p.m., 8 p.m. and midnight.

The need is large and immediate and you can receive training right before you begin your shift. Here’s what we’ve been told about what to do:
- E-mail hhutchinson@uwca.org to volunteer and say when you are available
- Receive a shift assignment
- Arrive 15 minutes before your shift starts for a brief training

Thank you for anyone who can respond. We are all asked to spread the word, so pass it on.