Rhode Islanders head to Florida to volunteer with Dorian relief efforts

By: Ellie Romano

Email: ERomano@ABC6.com

Twitter: @ERomanoABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Florida ahead of Hurricane Dorian.

Thousands of soldiers and airmen from Florida’s National Guard are now being deployed for disaster relief efforts.

Volunteers from Rhode Island are also heading south.

The Red Cross is sending 700 volunteers to Florida, 8 of those volunteers are from Rhode Island. 

The disaster relief nonprofit Team Rubicon is also calling in volunteers from the Ocean State.

Providence resident Patrick Hinton has been volunteering with Team Rubicon since 2015. 

“We do a lot of good things for a lot of people,” said Hinton.

He received a call from Team Rubicon last night asking him to deploy to Florida. He didn’t hesitate to help. 

“That’s our goal: To help people in their time of need,” said Hinton.

He’s no stranger to hurricane relief. In 2017, Hinton responded to Texas after Hurricane Harvey.

“I can remember pulling up to a home in Texas and seeing people living out of a tent in their driveway,” said Hinton.

He’s retired and 69-years-old, but still has the drive to help others.

“I consider it a gift that I can give to other people,” said Hinton.

Hinton said he’ll volunteer in Florida for at least a week, but is willing to stay as long as he’s needed. 

© WLNE-TV 2019