Friday, March 29, 2024

Flower Mound retiree answers call to assist in COVID-19 fight

Paul Carter working at the C.H. Collins Athletic Complex during a recent vaccination clinic

Written by Dawn Cobb, Contributing Writer

As Paul Carter planned his retirement, he searched for opportunities to give back to the community.

He and his wife volunteered with their local church and at the Flower Mound Police Department. With their children grown and out of the house, they were looking for more.

A friend mentioned the Medical Reserve Corps. Some 13 years later, the Flower Mound resident now volunteers at the vaccination clinics held across Denton County.

“It just makes me feel good helping with the vaccination clinic,” he said.

Members of the Medical Reserve Corps assist during times of need, whether a disaster, inclement weather event or a pandemic. Members receive an assortment of training – from cardiopulmonary resuscitation to Stop the Bleed courses and much more.

The training not only applies to emergencies but also to everyday life.

If an accident were to occur in his daily outings, Paul said he feels prepared. “I can at least be a stopgap measure until emergency help arrives,” he said.

The vaccination clinics offer a chance to interact with individuals. And there’s plenty to do – from staffing a call center to guiding traffic flow or checking in with residents while they await the COVID-19 vaccine shot.

“We need a lot of help,” Paul said. “And we get more out of it (volunteering) than we give.”

Anyone interested in assisting with the vaccination clinics can sign up with the Medical Reserve Corps at www.dentoncounty.gov/758/Medical-Reserve-Corps. Volunteers will undergo a background check and complete a 1-hour online orientation.

“To me, everybody there (at MRC) are really great people,” Paul said. “We’re all there for the same reason. We’re doing it to help the community.”

Dawn Cobb is Director of Community Relations for Denton County.

CTG Staff
CTG Staff
The Cross Timbers Gazette News Department

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