All photos are available for media distribution. Please click the photo for caption and courtesy information.
Red Cross volunteers in Honolulu, Hawaii help prepare for Hurricane Felicia.
Hurricane Felicia: Photo 8.6.09
August 7, 2009
Leave a Comment » | 
Disaster Alerts, Tropical Storm Felicia | Tagged: American Red Cross, cot, disaster alert, human interest, Hurricane Felicia, news alert, postcard, Preparedness, red cross, volunteer | 
Permalink
Posted by amrecro
Red River Floods Audio: Thank you from a stranger
April 2, 2009The American Red Cross has touched many lives. Jennifer Ryan tells one man’s story:
jenniferryan65‘s Mobile post sent by AmRedCross using Utterli. Replies. mp3
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: audio, flooding, floods, human interest, hurricane, ike, red river, story, thank you | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
Red River Floods: Postcard from Courtney Johnson
April 1, 2009
This morning I met Carla Hilterbrick, a health services volunteer from the Martin County, Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross. Carla is currently volunteering at the Red Cross special needs shelter in Casselton, North Dakota.
As a native Floridian, Carla isn’t used to the cold North Dakota weather. “I have NEVER been so cold” Carla told me.
Carla explains “I’m here because, as a local Red Cross volunteer I know what it’s like to need help. After experiencing a few hurricanes I know that ‘Oh my gosh, I am so happy to see you’ feeling when nationally deployed volunteers arrive to help.”
“I will deal with a blizzard and cold weather, even though they’re not my thing because many people, some of who may have not cared for the hot and humid weather of southern Florida, have come down to assist us when we were beat up.”
Carla is one of 560 volunteers, from 45 states, who are currently volunteering with the Red Cross in Minnesota and North Dakota.
3.30.09
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: courtney johnson, floods, human interest, north dakota, postcard | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
Red River Floods: Postcard from Nick Gehrig
March 31, 2009Volunteering is a Family Affair
Today I met Steve and Robert Wolfe, Red Cross volunteers who are also brothers. They told me the Red River flood is not the first national disaster they’ve volunteered for – this is their fourth disaster – but it’s the first time they’ve volunteered together in the same Red Cross shelter. When I asked Robert how it was different to be paired with his brother, he told me: ‘While you develop great relationships with other volunteers, it’s nice to have your brother to lean on too. It’s another level of unconditional support.’ Robert’s comment reminded me of my wife and family in St. Paul, Minn. and how supportive and proud they are of my involvement with the Red Cross too.
Steve told me that he refers to Robert and himself as the ‘Wolfe pack,’ a term he says was coined by volunteers and staff of the Greater Indianapolis Chapter when the brothers, Steve’s wife and Robert’s 12-year-old son were all recognized for their involvement with the Red Cross. Steve and Robert are working in one of three public Red Cross shelters currently open for those affected by the Red River flood. Last night, the Red Cross sheltered 257 people.
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: brothers, flooding, floods, human interest, postcard, postcards, red river | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
Red River Floods: Postcard from Courtney Johnson
March 31, 2009
Missa (pronounced ME-sha) is not a typical Red Cross shelter resident. The 1-year-old German Shepard mix is Jacky Ogundeji’s service dog. Although pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters, Missa’s status of a service dog allows her to accompany Jacky.
“I’ve had Missa for two months. Right away I was able to tell how much she helps me with my seizures and panic disorder” Jacky said.
Missa and Jacky are training with Service Animals of America and expect to finish their obedience classes soon.
“My life has been a lot easier and a lot less stressful with her in my life” Jacky says of Missa.
The Red Cross has opened 6 shelters in the Fargo Moorhead area and had a total of 286 shelter residents last night.
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: fargo, flood, flooding, floods, human interest, pets, postcard, service animal, shelter residents, shelter service dog | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
Red River Floods: Postcard from Courtney Johnson
March 29, 2009
“As a native Midwesterner spring floods are not foreign to me. Every year as the days get longer and the mercury slowly creeps up, it’s not out of the ordinary to see streams, lakes and rivers creep out of their banks. I have NEVER, however, seen anything like this.
The mighty Red River is immensely swollen. Bridges have been closed. Some roads are impassable. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes. This river and the flood prevention efforts that are taking place in this area are a common topic of conversation among everyone I meet.
Since arriving on Wednesday, I have spent the majority of my time at the Red Cross shelter which is located in the Moorhead High School. The shelter’s 70 residents, although they’ve been evacuated from their homes and face an uncertain future, are upbeat and friendly.
The attitude of the people from the flood affected areas is amazing. The people here will be fine because the Red River can’t take away what matters most… the attitude of this area’s terrific residents.”
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: compassion, dike, flooding, floods, human interest, moorhead, optimism, postcard, red cross, red river, relief, shelter | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
