###

Press release from the City of Rio Dell:

A partnership between the Rio Dell Community Resource Center, Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rio Dell has formed to organize volunteers and provide assistance to community members 65 years of age and older during the COVID‐19 Pandemic.

On March 26, 2020 members of the group organized to distribute 25 bags full of canned and dry goods to seniors throughout Rio Dell. The food and bags were assembled by Sara Faught of the Community Resource Center (a branch of St. Joseph Health) while the Chamber and City organized the volunteers and developed a list of seniors in the community.

“Rio Dell’s motto is the ‘Warm Hearted City.’” Mayor Debra Garnes stated. “In times like this that motto has to become more than just words. It has to be action.”

Mayor Garnes was joined by Chamber President Nick Angeloff, and Volunteer Corp members Amanda Carter and Clark Abbott. Garnes went on to state that more volunteers were needed and that more seniors in the community should contact City Hall to be registered. “We’re in this for the long haul. We need volunteers and we need to know if you need help.” Garnes concluded by adding that if seniors were experiencing a medical or other emergency that they should continue to use the 911 system.

If you need assistance from the Rio Dell Volunteer Corp, call City Hall during normal business hours at 707‐ 764‐3532. We will need your name, phone number and address.

If you would like to volunteer to help provide community assistance, email volunteers@cityofriodell.ca.gov This service can only be provided while supplies last and volunteers are available and there is no guarantee that the group can fill all requests, but we will do our best.

The City of Rio Dell is urging members of the public to practice social distancing and to adhere to the Shelter in Place orders of the Governor and Humboldt County Public Health Officer. More information can be found at https://humboldtgov.org/2018/Humboldt‐Health‐Alert and https://covid19.ca.gov/