The Federal Emergency Management Agency has asked the Santa Clara Valley for up to 20 volunteers each day for the next six to eight weeks. Volunteer recruitment is being coordinated by the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley on behalf of the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

"They are being swamped with calls so we are being asked to coordinate the volunteer recruitment," Evan Low, community affairs manager of the volunteer center, said.

Volunteers are needed to aid in relief efforts along the Gulf Coast, where Hurricane Katrina caused one of the most destructive natural disasters in United States history. So far, the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and other organizations are dispersing tens of thousands of victims from the hurricane to shelters around the country.

More than 300 people from the Santa Clara Valley, including 20 from Apple Computer Inc. and others from community organizations and businesses, have already volunteered.

More volunteers are needed to help with grief counseling, medical aid and distributing clothes and food.

"There is a lot of need for our help," Low said, "especially since many of us of have family and friends in the region. And we never know when we may need our friends from across the country to help us in a similar situation."

The American Red Cross provides intensive two-day training (normally a three-month course) in disaster relief work. The training includes sessions on disaster response and CPR, Low said. Volunteers are asked to deploy for one to two weeks and must be18 years of age or older and in good health. The American Red Cross provides all travel, lodging and general personal expenses.

"I hope our community will look into their hearts and give their time and financial resources to those who lives have been changed due to this tragic disaster," Russ Patterson, president of the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley, said.

For more information visit the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley's website, www.vcsv.us, or call 408.247.1126.