Have you ever wondered how the American Red Cross is in every community across the country and is able to help thousands of people each year affected by disasters large and small? The answer to that is simple. It’s because of the 500,000 dedicated volunteers that give their time, and most importantly, their heart in helping others. It’s because when people need it most, Americans show their true compassion by making a financial donation to help the largest humanitarian organization in the country prepare and respond to disasters.
Right now, Red Cross volunteers are helping people affected by tornadoes, floods, wild fires and home fires in communities around the country. Just in Oklahoma, over 1,100 Red Cross volunteers are on the ground sheltering, feeding, distributing relief supplies and providing mental health and health services to thousands of people who lost so much to the recent tornado outbreak.
When Oklahoman, Sha Marie Huff, thought it couldn’t get worse after the last batch of tornadoes two weeks ago, it did. On Friday, May 31st, several more tornadoes touched down causing fear and devastating more communities across Oklahoma and Missouri. The last batch of storms caused wide-spread destruction, like the severe flooding at Sha Marie’s home in El Reno, OK.
Sha Marie and Lane Huff are happy to receive hot meals and snacks delivered by Red Cross volunteers as they take a break from cleaning flood damage that was caused by tornadoes.
Due to flooding, most of Sha Marie’s furniture and personal belongings now sit water-logged in her front yard. While cleaning out what was left, Sha Marie and her son, Lane, looked up and saw a glimpse of hope when a Red Cross mobile feeding truck pulled up in front of their home. They were both shocked to find out that the three volunteers inside the truck traveled all the way from Louisiana to make sure that their family and neighbors had hot meals to eat until they got back on their feet.
“Any bit of help is needed right now,” said Sha Marie as she thanked Red Cross workers. “This is bad, but we’re going to get through it because we have each other, we have our community and we have the Red Cross.”
Thousands of meals and snacks are being delivered into neighborhoods just like Sha Marie’s because of the commitment of volunteers and the generosity of donors. On behalf of Sha Maria, Lane and thousands of people the Red Cross helps each year around the country, thank you. Thank you to every volunteer and every donor for reaching deep into their heart and making a difference in someone else’s life.