Although the Walla Walla University campus in College Place was not flooded, WWU students, faculty, and staff joined more than 200 community volunteers to fill sandbags on Friday, Feb. 7, at Koncrete Industries in Walla Walla for use with flooding relief efforts in the community.

On Monday, Feb. 10, David Lopez, director of the WWU Center for Humanitarian Engagement, said, “We are working on a multi-agency response to the flooding that includes the Walla Walla County Emergency Response Management department, Adventist Community Services, the University Church, the Red Cross, and a long list of other organizations.”

Lopez is coordinating a large number of volunteers in the Walla Walla Valley who have offered to help with clean up and relief efforts. The University Church is organizing a time of community prayer on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. in the University Church sanctuary.

“There is an urgent need beginning Tuesday, Feb. 11, to staff a call center that would be the hub for individual needs assessment and public assessment of the damage in our community,” Lopez said. “We’re looking for people to help who are good with customer service, managing details, and talking with people who are in difficult situations.”

Call center volunteers will gather information and record details for initial emergency assessment. These volunteers will work out of the Walla Walla County Emergency Management department office in Walla Walla.

To learn more or to volunteer to help, visit the WWU Center for Humanitarian Engagement web page at wallawalla.edu/che.

Posted Feb. 10, 2020