This story is written by Red Cross worker Annette Smith.
“Everyone is hurting. We all understand that but because of my nursing training I recognized she needed more help than just finding an apartment.” Says Ellie Berman as she speaks of Sandra Coolbaugh whom she met at a Red Cross shelter in Tunkhannock, Pa.
Sandra, who had remained in her basement apartment for several days after it was completely flooded, was soon overtaken by the mold and mildew and her landlord told her about the Red Cross shelter at the local high school. Upon arrival there her health and wellness exam was handled by Nurse Ellie Berman and an immediate kinship developed. Ellie learned Sandra, who was on several medications, had had none in a month so she immediately began to secure oxygen and other necessary meds to assist Sandra to physical recovery. She went above and beyond the call of duty and enlisted the help of several community agencies to secure Sandra a secure place to live; a place where there are hot meals and companionship. “She is my angel. I can’t tell you all she did…..but she is my angel” smiles a grateful Sandra with tears in her eyes.
Volunteering with the Red Cross is a family affair going back so far you might even call it a genetic predisposition. Nurse Ellie Berman’s grandfather was a Red Cross volunteer during World War I and other family members have continued the tradition. While Ellie’s husband doesn’t volunteer he is her biggest supporter. “He enjoys enabling me to do what I do and I enjoy giving him the credit for it.”
