The United Way has given a $4,000 challenge grant to support the Red Cross Martha’s Vineyard Preparedness Initiative.

Greg Orcutt of Vineyard Haven, a Cape and Islands United Way board member, says: “We . . . ask Martha’s Vineyard to join us in supporting this Preparedness Initiative so that our Island residents can be ready for disaster.”

The plan is estimated to cost $58,000 and consists of prepositioning the equipment and recruiting, training and equipping the volunteer team necessary to be prepared to respond to an emergency when the need arises on Martha’s Vineyard.

The chapter is finalizing the training of 12 new disaster volunteers and already has 10 trained volunteers in place on the Island, led by zone leader Jim Thomas from Oak Bluffs.

To donate, see online cciredcross.org or call toll-free at 508-775-1540.