The Deepwater Horizon BP Oil Spill is one of the most challenging environmental disasters that the country has faced. The communities whose livelihoods are dependent upon the Gulf of Mexico are being severely affected by the oil spill.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is working with its network of community partners and national service resources to launch a short-and long-term effort to leverage citizen service to address the devastating economic, health and environmental impact inflicted by the oil spill.

• Click here to read more about the Corporation’s oil spill strategy (PDF)

How Volunteers Can Help
 

The complex nature of oil cleanup, coupled with health and safety concerns, restricts the role of volunteers. The Deepwater Unified Area Command under the direction of Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen has specified that volunteers or unpaid individuals are not allowed to perform hands-on hazardous waste remediation.

Find an appropriate volunteer opportunity by typing in your zip code or register to volunteer with one of the Gulf Coast state service commissions listed below. Volunteers are also encouraged to support disaster relief organizations responding to the spill and to volunteer with human service agencies and nonprofits in the region that are experiencing increased demand due to the effects of the oil spill.

Get Involved Locally
 

The affected states have been a driving force in the response effort and are working to identify and coordinate the use and placement of volunteers. Anyone wishing to volunteer should register through one the state service commission websites listed below. Additionally, BP has set up a volunteer hotline for individuals who want to help at 1.866.448.5816.

• Louisiana: VolunteerLouisiana.gov
• Mississippi: MCVS.org
• Florida: VolunteerFloridaDisaster.org
• Alabama: ServeAlabama.gov

Click here if you are an organization and would like to register your project on All for Good.

Additional Information
 

For the latest updates on the oil spill and response, please visit RestoretheGulf.gov.

The EPA is tracking the environmental impact: EPA.gov/bpspill