By Janet Koelling, American Red Cross Public Affairs
Photos by Tom Hobbs
September 2021
Families are still reeling from the landfall of Hurricane Ida that hit weeks ago. Along the Gulf Coast, the American Red Cross is helping people in multiple states who are struggling with the heartbreaking damage left by Ida, along with widespread fuel shortages and power outages. In some of the hardest hit parishes, the Red Cross has response vehicles circulating through accessible areas to provide meals, water and critical supplies such as comfort kits and cleaning items. While access to some areas is still very challenging, we’re reaching more people every day.
Prior to landfall to today’s recovery efforts, 72 local volunteers from the Colorado/Wyoming region of the Red Cross have deployed to assist with the disaster response in Louisiana.
One Colorado volunteer speaks of his experience on the disaster response operation serving with the Red Cross in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Tom Hobbs, “The Man In The Hat,” has served the Mile High Chapter of the Red Cross for more than ten years as an emergency response vehicle (ERV) driver and a volunteer for youth programs, Be Red Cross Ready, Active threat and Train the Trainer.
While in Louisiana, Tom and his team served communities as many as 1,200 meals per day out of the ERV. He speaks fondly of assisting the community in helping their neighbors. A local church that provided a staging place for feeding operations invited its members to help with a fixed sight feeding. A couple of the ladies reached out via social media and drew in more people in need than the Red Cross staff had been able to reach in the previous days. Afterward, they were so excited about the experience that they are considering volunteering with the Red Cross.
Tom spoke of the amazing depth of experience of volunteers. One volunteer, Wayne, was a former Marine who said, “The Marines prepared me to be the best Red Cross volunteer.” He has been with the Red Cross 34 years and just received a national award in Washington DC.
Tom reflected that the most important skill is to listen to the fellow volunteers. By practicing this, Tom overheard that the top Staff Shelter Manage was also qualified to drive an ERV but not yet deployed in that role. One day, an ERV team needed one more member for a safe team. Since he had the shelter covered, Wayne joined and proved to be excellent with the those affected by the Hurricane, especially the kids. Tom said, “We recommended Wayne deploy with a future ERV team. Wayne rode with me for the day and was amazing with the clients, especially the kids. His driving was very good and I recommend he deploy for the ERV team in the future”
Each person has something that may be offered to the Red Cross efforts. If you want to help support the American Red Cross mission, sign up to volunteer. If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday.