I started to think about the first time I volunteered to help and I wanted to share my story.
A few days after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, I decided to volunteer with the local chapter of the American Red Cross. We were to be at the old Wal-Mart in Lawrenceville, GA at 6:30 am that Saturday.
I was not prepared for that day.
We were told on arrival to volunteer for either 3 or 6 hours. I agreed to 6. I had cleared my day just for this. I was given the job of an Emergency Caseworker. I basically asked questions and filled out forms so I would know how to best help each person and decide how much money was needed to get the basic essentials.
Four hundred and twenty two people stood in line that day.
I went down the line at 8am when the doors were opening. I handed each person a bag of chips, a 4-pack of cookies and a Gatorade or water. I then took my seat ready to fill out personal info for the victims of Katrina. 422 people coming through the doors, each with their own story of survival. It was the single mom who put her children on the roof and waited for 9 hours to be rescued. It was the 17 yr old who watched the body of her only living relative be pulled out of the water on National TV. It was the 12 yr old boy who walked his brother out to safety. It was the dad that carried his 2yr old for 11 miles to find help. It was the newly married couple that watched their first home be taken over by water. It was the police officer who waded people out for 26 hours. It was the 3yr old that was saved at the last minute by a passer by. It was the Grandma that was trapped by debris for 2 days. It was the neighborhood bus driver that filled her bus and left town only minutes before her town was leveled. It was the family that lost their home, business, and only son in less than 15 minutes. It was the caseworker beside me that came to volunteer after losing his home, counting himself lucky to have a place to go to. It was the pregnant lady who didn’t know if her husband got out in time.
I started work at 8am on Saturday, and as I walked the last person out to catch a ride to a hotel it was 3:15am on Sunday.
I knew my life had changed.
I could see all their faces, remember all their stories, and I didn’t spend more than 20 minutes with any of them.
This is when I decided to help anyone anyway I could.
This is when I realized how blessed I was. This was the day that changed my life forever. If you would like to help out with the American Red Cross, click HERE and search for your local chapter. This isn’t a need just when huge disaster hits. Find out how you can help a family in need today.
