A hat tip to the American Red Cross

I was on Cape Cod, Massachusetts this past weekend when Hurricane Irene was expected to strike.  Although it turned out to be “only” a tropical storm, and thus “only” sustained winds of less than 79 mph, I was a bit concerned.

Most of the year I live in Florida where we have a healthy respect for both hurricanes and tropical storms, and the havoc they can create.

When I’m here, on the Cape, I live in a heavily wooded area, and, although I would not be happy if a tree fell into my house and onto my couch, I would be even less happy if that tree fell on my couch when I was sitting on my couch.  So, I called my town and learned that the American Red Cross would establish a shelter at our local high school.  I now had a plan.

I went to the shelter.  Although many of the volunteers at the shelter were from local towns, one was from Elkhart, Indiana.   Even though she looked young to me, she had been a Red Cross volunteer for several years.  She had been sent to Joplin, Missouri earlier this year after the tornadoes.  And, no, she isn’t paid, except for airfare and hotel expenses, though, in disaster areas, there aren’t many hotels left.

I learned that Red Cross  volunteer “deployments” are for three weeks.  So, she now may well be in a Red Cross shelter in eastern Connecticut, or, eastern Massachusetts, or western New York.

Any of you that donate to the Red Cross, know that your donation isn’t recklessly spent.  Any of you who don’t donate, consider donating.

All I know is that the Red Cross gave me a safe harbor.  As it turns out, I didn’t need it, but they were there just in case.

(Sorry about the lack of a picture, but, my computer skills leave a lot to be desired.)

 

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SoundOffSister

The Sound Off Sister was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and special trial attorney for the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; a partner in the Florida law firm of Shutts & Bowen, and an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, School of Law. The Sound Off Sister offers frequent commentary concerning legislation making its way through Congress, including the health reform legislation passed in early 2010.

6 Comments

  1. ricbee on August 30, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    It seems like the town gave you the shelter why would they need a young lady from Indiana?



  2. Lynn on August 31, 2011 at 7:45 am

    Thanks, so glad to know there are such dedicated volunteers. Kind of makes me feel like a sloth.



  3. Shared Sacrifice on September 1, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    And I thought you were up there playing golf with Barry & shopping with Michelle!



  4. crystal4 on September 2, 2011 at 9:11 am

    Agree! And another hat tip to FEMA …after driving for miles looking for ice and water, I find myself at a FEMA emergency station where I receive ice water, charging stations.
    I never knew how frightening it could be with no phone and a dead cell phone battery at a time when you might need 911.
    Cannot sat enough about the FEMA staff, either. I know our situation is not even a smidgeon as dire as what those? poor souls endured in New Orleans, but I can certainly now more appreciate how they felt when FEMA arrived!



  5. Lynn on September 3, 2011 at 8:35 am

    Funny our competent town emergency personnel, firemen and police were able to provide water, food and supplies, with no help from a federal agency.



  6. crystal4 on September 4, 2011 at 7:40 am

    You probably have a dem first selectman. In my town he was (Republican) MIA and did not even return a phone call when I called him about downed wires that CL&P would not pull up after 5 days! Even after I left messages that kids were biking under them!



red cross

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