Local Red Cross Volunteers Turn Compassion into Action



As Red Cross disaster volunteers feed and shelter thousands of people devastated by Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike; the sheer size and scope of the relief operation is incredible. With so many residents forced to evacuate and unable to return to their homes due to the extensive damage and power outages, Red Cross shelters are still open in Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, and Kentucky where remnants of the storms caused extensive flooding. The Red Cross has already served nearly 3 million meals and another 2.7 million snacks.

Despite the magnitude of the Red Cross disaster response, dedicated Red Cross volunteers measure the impact of our efforts by the lives we touch. Local Red Cross volunteers, Bill and Vicki Duggins of Lacey, were following reports of Gustav when it was only a Tropical Storm when they received the call that their help was needed.

Within in a few days, they found themselves in the middle of the devastation in Houma, Louisiana. The couple worked in the mass care feeding function helping to deliver food to Red Cross shelters and out to neighborhoods where the power had not been restored. It was an emotional experience at times to see so many families left with practically nothing. Yet, they also saw the strength of the human spirit unwilling to let their present circumstance define their future.

“I remember one family we met had 12 people staying together. It was their four-year old grandson’s birthday, but with everything they lost they couldn’t afford any gifts. The family was able to purchase a cake mix and trinkets at the dollar store,” said Vicki. “They planned to take the meals provided by the Red Cross and have a picnic to celebrate his birthday.”

“Bill and I just happened to have stuffed teddy bears on the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle to distribute to the children, so we gave the grandmother one for her grandson. She immediately had tears in her eyes and was so grateful for the gift,” said Vicki.

“It’s about the individuals and the personal contact with the people you help that makes the whole Red Cross volunteer experience worthwhile. When Bill and I were down in Louisiana, we saw family after family working to make the best out of a difficult situation. It was a very humbling to witness,” explained Vicki.

For Bill and Vicky, the Gulf Coast holds a special place in their hearts. Following Hurricane Katrina, the couple spent nearly nine weeks working as Red Cross volunteers on three separate Red Cross disaster relief assignments. Much of their time was spent driving Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) and delivering meals throughout New Orleans and Louisiana. During their stay, Bill and Vicky made friends for a lifetime with fellow Red Cross volunteers and Louisiana residents, who were thankful for their help.

More than 30 local American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter volunteers have been deployed to the Gulf Coast, while over 250 volunteers have been sent by Red Cross chapters from Washington State. Across the United States, Red Cross volunteers have left the comfort of their homes and their families behind to help their neighbors devastated by the storms.

How You Can Help
You can help people affected by thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. We use this fund to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters who need our help. Donors can go online to
Donate Now! or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, you should call 1-800-REDCROSS. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, and money to do its work.