NATCHEZ — The American Red Cross shouldn’t only be called when there’s a hurricane or a tornado. The organization also helps families that have suffered from house fires and deployed loved ones.

The Red Cross can be utilized 365 days a year for several reasons.

Interim executive to the Capital-River chapter of the Red Cross, which serves Natchez, Samantha Kalahar said the Red Cross has helped 18 families and invested more than $11,000 in disaster recovery and relief in Adams County between July 2012 and June 2013.

“Everybody is familiar with Red Cross helping with natural disasters, but on a day-to-day basis, we help families with house fires,” she said. “It sounds like a much smaller disaster, but to the families, it’s just as big as if a tornado hit it.”

Kalahar said the organization also helps families that have immediate emergency disaster-related needs.

“We contact families that have needs and our volunteer case workers will call them and determine what the immediate needs of the family are,” Kalahar said. “Generally, that’s shelter, food and clothing.”

The Red Cross also serves military families that are dealing with a loved one being deployed in hard times.

“We serve military families needing assistance while someone is deployed or sharing emergency communication with those who have been deployed,” she said. “Red Cross is charged with getting them in communication with soldiers.”

Not only does the organization help families through hard times, it helps people prepare for whenever a hard time may strike.

“We are working with families on how to be prepared for emergencies, whether it’s CPR or fire safety and how to make sure their smoke detectors are working,” she said.

Kalahar said there is always a need for more volunteers and more donations.

“Everything we do has to be resourced, so we’re always looking for those who are able to help fund our mission,” she said. “If you wanted to be a volunteer, we would have you register. We would provide specific training based on what you want to do.”

Kalahar said there are many ways one can volunteer to become a part of the Red Cross family.

“Whether you have a medical background or not, or you like working with people, there are so many volunteer opportunities,” Kalahar said. “The training for an office position would be different from someone who drives our emergency response vehicles.”

Red Cross volunteer and board member Lorene Mock said she joined the organization after retiring from 39 years with the Natchez-Adams School District.

“(Branch office coordinator) Debra Davis asked me to get involved, she said there were several things I could do and gave me my options and I said ‘I could do that,’” Mock said.

Mock’s duties aren’t as hands-on as those who drive an emergency response vehicle, but it is just as important.

“We strategize on fundraising activities and we actually go out and do the fundraisers to raise money to help families,” Mock said. “We show up when there’s an event going on to tell people what we’re all about. It’s like we’re the face of the Red Cross in this area.”

If anyone has been faced with a disaster or want to make a donation or register to volunteer, call the Red Cross at 601-442-3656.