A service team of volunteers from Pinellas County Job Corps donated their time and energy to help victims impacted by Hurricane Ian. The group worked at a temporary American Red Cross Distribution Center in Tampa to clean cots to be used by people left stranded by the terrible storm as well as those working to assist in the hardest hit areas.

When they heard about the American Red Cross need, many students were quick to sign up to volunteer their time on a Saturday.

“We had 18 students and two staff members volunteer, 20 people from here who wanted to give back. It was overwhelming,” said Student Government Association President Ja’kel Young. “To be able to give back to the community felt really good,”

“To go for the Red Cross, it felt great because I was able to help people in need while they are in a dire situation with the hurricanes,” added SGA Treasurer David Lucero. “I’m just glad to be able to help people.”

Volunteer staff members who went with the students were impressed with how much they wanted to help. “It was unbelievable how hard they worked,” said Career Standards and Incentives Manager Mary Fredenburg. “They washed 670 cots in just over six hours and hardly took any breaks.”