Clarendon Resident Lends Assistance to Neighbors as New Red Cross Volunteer

RUTLAND, VT – Sept 8, 2011 - Mike Blair, Clarendon resident, was fortunate that his home escaped damage from the widespread flooding that followed in the wake of Hurricane Irene. As he watched news coverage of the destruction, he decided to take action. “I felt awful for the state of Vermont and for my neighbors. I wanted to help out.”

Working near the Red Cross chapter office in Rutland, he had driven past and seen a lot of activity as Red Cross workers and vehicles mobilized to open shelters, deliver meals and distribute clean up materials and other needed supplies. He was on his way to the Vermont State Fair in Rutland but instead made a right turn into the chapter office parking lot. “I was on vacation and had some free time, so I stopped by Red Cross because I know it is a fantastic organization.”

That day Mike was signed in, and the next day he joined a team of Red Cross workers traveling roads he had not known even existed to access the areas of flooding and offer assistance to weary residents in the process of clean up. The destruction to roads and property was sobering, but as Mike recalls, “The people were positive and upbeat. They welcomed us, happy to see the Red Cross and work with them.”

On Thursday, Mike is still in the Red Cross chapter office, now working with people who need temporary housing by connecting them with community resources. Mike’s biggest surprise as a volunteer, “I didn’t realize that you actually go out to see disaster victims. That was very eye opening.”

Responding to about 70,000 disasters a year nationwide, Red Cross maintains on-call vehicles, supplies and over 60,000 trained workers ready to be deployed for regional as well as local disasters. It’s not unusual for Red Cross to respond to simultaneous events as we are now, assisting people affected by Tropical Storm Irene as well as those whose homes have been destroyed by the fire in Texas.   It is through caring and willing volunteers like Mike that the American Red Cross is able to deliver emergency disaster relief assistance to our friends and neighbors in their times of need.

Written by: Marva Thomas
Volunteer, Public Affairs
Orange County Chapter, American Red Cross