One of the difficulties after a major hurricane, for Santa Rosa County, is that the county seat, in Milton, is separated from the South Santa Rosa area by Escambia Bay, East Bay, and Eglin Air Force Base. After a hurricane, many volunteers want to help, and the Retired & Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Milton has been designated by the county to operate a Volunteer Reception Center, registering and dispatching volunteers to help where needed, especially where residents are elderly, disabled, or so economically disadvantaged as to not be able to handle cleanup and repair on their own.

But many of the volunteers, and those needing help, are in South Santa Rosa. After a hurricane, we have enough problems with communications and transportation. We don't need to physically go to Milton to register to help!

A Volunteer Reception Center will be opened and operated right here in Navarre if there is another disaster calling for it. The location will be the Navarre Public Library, assuming it is not damaged. So if you are fortunate to be spared any serious problems by the next storm, and want to volunteer to help others, you may come to the Volunteer Reception Center and get an assignment.

Volunteer Reception Centers will also be opened in Bagdad, Jay, and Gulf Breeze.

Don't hesitate because you think you're not strong or skilled or whatever. There is always a need for you, even if it is to register other volunteers, or provide sympathy and support to victims.