UKIAH, Calif. – American Red Cross is offering a free class, “Disaster Services Overview,” for new volunteers and those who want to learn about Red Cross volunteer opportunities in Mendocino County.

Opportunities for Red Cross volunteers include responding to local and national emergencies, training the community in disaster education, and staffing health and safety fairs.

In 2012-13, the American Red Cross has a major initiative to educate the community on disaster preparedness, and local volunteers are especially needed to present disaster education information to the community. Free training will be provided to qualified volunteers.

The Disaster Services Overview class will be held twice:

• In Ukiah, on Thursday, Sept. 13, 413 N. State St., NCO office. Meeting at 6 p.m., class from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., after the monthly Disaster Action Team meeting. New people are welcome at the Disaster Action Team meeting.
• In Willits, on Saturday, Sept. 15, Willits Library, 390 East Commercial St. Hours are10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Interested people can contact Don Rowe, 707-463-2456, to register or for more information.

American Red Cross, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties, is a neutral, humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disasters, and prepares people to prevent and respond to emergencies.

Like all Red Cross chapters, the local chapter is self-sustaining and is funded by local contributions.

Donations can be made at www.arcsm.org , www.redcross.org , via mail to American Red Cross, 5297 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, or by phone at 707-577-7627 (Sonoma County), 707-463-0112 (Mendocino County), or 707-263-8451 (Lake County).