On April 20, 2010, a BP (British Petroleum) oil rig exploded very near us in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil may be on our beaches sometime soon.
We are all devastated by this recent oil spill that will be affecting all of us in some way. Offshore drilling may never end, but lessons will be learned and changes will be made. Please take some time today and pray.
Also, here is a list posted by the Pensacola News Journal of ways to volunteer:
BP issued phone numbers for the following inquiries:
• To report oiled wildlife: Call (866) 557-1401 and leave a message. Messages will be checked hourly.
Volunteer opportunities
• BRACE, United Way and First Call for Help are organizing volunteers for cleanup after the oil reaches the shores.
To register to volunteer, call 595-5905 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Registration is required for a four-hour health and safety training classes for handling petroleum-contaminated materials.
Escambia County has online self-registration at www.BeReadyEscambia.com/training. Choose from one of four classes. The Citizen Information Line at (850) 471-6600 will be able to register people who do not have computer access between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.
Escambia County will add additional classes as these fill up.
• To become a part of the Santa Rosa County volunteer data base for volunteer opportunities that may arise, contact the Volunteer Reception Center operated through Help Thy Neighbors in coordination with emergency management at 983-5223.
I can’t believe that thing is still gushing! There might be more hope of cleaning the mess up if they can cap it. This whole thing has shown me how important it is not to take our beaches for granted.
I agree, if they could cap this oil leak there is a better chance of a faster cleanup and less chance of our beaches being hit. I do enjoy our beaches and hope they remain as they are.