EVERGREEN — Hundreds of volunteers immediately appeared to support the affected families in Evergreen in Appomattox following the Feb. 24 tornado. Among the volunteers, 16 ready-to-serve AmeriCorps members were deployed to assist with debris removal and cleanup. “Virginia State Parks Virginia Service and Conservation Corps AmeriCorps program worked alongside volunteers from the community and faith-based groups to lend a helping hand,” according to Gail Doyle, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Office on Volunteerism & Community Service.

“The Conservation Corps normally serves at parks throughout Virginia to work on projects like trail building, volunteer recruitment and interpretive programming. Their outdoor project skills make them ideal to serve during times of disaster,” she said.

AmeriCorps State programs operate through the Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Services (OCVS) and the Governor-appointed Advisory Board on National and Community Service to recruit, train and place more than 720 members annually.