Katrina: American Red Cross

Our daughter Victoria, is a communication specialist for the American Red Cross.  Although she is in Cleveland, Ohio, Vickie has felt the wrath of Katrina.

A family from the effected Gulf Coast made their way to Northeastern Ohio.  They had their car and not much else.  Once in Ohio, they contacted the media and asked where they could go for help.  The media gave them Vickie's phone number.  Although Vickie works for Blood Services which is a separate division from Disaster Services, the group you are seeing on TV everyday, she is trained to deal with such situations.  Vickie directed the family to those who could help.  The family's only request was for clothes, they had none. 

Vickie felt mountains of pain and anguish coming from the Dad as he told her how his family had escaped and fled to stay with friends in Ohio.  We in turn felt the emotion in Vickie's voice as she told us about this family.  This is a family that escaped and has a place to stay.  I simply cannot fathom the emotion and stress at ground zero.

The American Red Cross is providing an excellent   Facts Update   page at their Website.

We are proud of the American Red Cross and their efforts to get relief to those in need.  And we are most proud of our eldest daughter and her fierce commitment towards her fellow Americans.

Comments

[Yvonne DiVita]

We need more stories like this. Yes, it's important to be informed, to keep abreast of what's developing in the way of aid and support. But, the true heroes are those like your daughter...and the people she is reaching out to.

I keep hearing the news say send money. Yes, money is needed. But, your story proves that supplies are needed, also. When will we be able to donate them? There are people, also -- who would give a week of their time to help out -- when can we offer that aid? I know it's too soon, but... let's open our eyes and give the American people a chance to help.

This is not a government crisis. It's a people crisis. Let the people do what we do best -- help each other in whatever way we can.

[Dave]

Thanks for your comments Yvonne. I am not familiar with the finite details but, as with this family anyhow, the Red Cross gives them a credit card with a limited amount of money. This way they can go an purchase the clothes that they need.

I think it's a different story for those folks housed in facilities like the Astrodome. They need trucks backing in and dropping off clothes.

[Rosa Say]

Dave and Rosemary, I join you in the immense pride you must feel for Vickie's efforts.

Like you, we in the Say 'Ohana strongly support the efforts of the Red Cross for not only have we been so impressed with their purely altruistic work, we have seen firsthand how effective they are in developing leadership capacity in our youth.

Dave, your collection of posts today are spot on with the tone we must model in the blogging community.
Aloha e, ahui hou,
Rosa

[Dave]

Thanks Rosa. I think I'll explain in one more post at least one reason that I was motivated to do so.