news release

United Way of Indian River County, in partnership with the Indian River County Emergency Management Division, continues its commitment to disaster preparedness and community resilience through ANCHOR (Action Network for Community Hope and Organized Recovery), an initiative designed to strengthen both disaster response and long-term recovery efforts across Indian River County.

Through ANCHOR, United Way coordinates a network of local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community partners to ensure residents impacted by disaster are connected to trusted resources and recovery support. As part of this initiative, the Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) serves as the operational program that organizes and deploys volunteers during emergency response, working in coordination with Indian River County Emergency Management under Emergency Support Function #15 (volunteers and donations).

The VRC provides a structured system for managing spontaneous, unaffiliated volunteers who are willing to assist during disasters but have not received formal disaster response training. Volunteers are safely registered, matched to verified needs, and deployed to support recovery operations ranging from emergency assistance to community cleanup efforts.

“In a disaster, coordination is what turns willingness into effective help,” said Meredith Egan, Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Indian River County. “Through ANCHOR and the VRC, we are able to connect volunteers and community partners in the real-time needs that emerge in a crisis while also supporting long-term recovery.”

Volunteer roles within the VRC include registration, intake and interviewing, data entry, greeter and runner support, safety assistance, and phone bank operators. No prior disaster experience is required, and bilingual volunteers are especially encouraged to participate.

To ensure volunteers are prepared to serve when needed, United Way of Indian River County will host a 1-day VRC certification training provided by VolunteerFlorida on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the United Way Center in Vero Beach. The training prepares volunteers to safely support disaster response operations, understand activation procedures, and effectively assist in coordinated recovery efforts. Participants must be 18 years or older, and advance registration is required by May 25, 2026.

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up at UnitedWayIRC.org. For additional information, contact Amanda Morgan at (772) 567-8900 or Amanda.Morgan@UnitedWayIRC.org.