Pittsburgh Red Cross volunteers head south to help with Hurricane Helene recovery — “whatever it takes.”

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The American Red Cross has sent hordes of volunteers to help with recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene.

Some of these people are from Western Pennsylvania.

More than 30 Red Cross volunteers from our state have already been deployed, and two more from our region are joining us today.

You are on a mission.

“Hopefully it’s enough for us to give them some help and hope,” said Paul Stillitano, a Red Cross volunteer.

Stillitano and Dennis Bayne have been volunteering with the Red Cross for almost two years. The needles on their chests are evidence of where they have been.

“Mississippi was pretty bad — I mean, really bad,” Bayne said.

“We just got back from Debbie's – it's been three weeks, so we're going back out now,” Stillitano said.

The two travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to help those recovering from Hurricane Helene. They say it could be worse than what they've seen so far.

“From what I saw on TV, this is nothing compared to what we’re about to get into,” Bayne said.

It is a storm that has already killed at least 180 people. Stillitano and Bayne could do anything if they came south.

“We could do the feeding – we could distribute water, food, supplies – whatever is needed,” Stillitano said.

The Red Cross said two volunteers from Allegheny County came to help.

There is also one from Butler County, one from Washington County and five from Westmoreland County.

“You have to prepare mentally – because you don’t know what you’re going to see – and that’s the hardest part,” Stillitano said.

“I can turn off my emotions and when I'm done and it's all behind me, all bets are off,” Bayne said. “I deal with it in my own way…”

The images may be difficult, the scenes may be painful – but it's in the blood of all these volunteers.

“It's close to my heart – it's something I…I think I was put on this earth to do – to help people,” Stillitano said.