By Josh Egbert
Trained American Red Cross volunteers are working around the clock in Florida to help people impacted by Hurricane Ian which have forced whole communities from their homes. Red Cross workers, including those from Colorado and Wyoming, are on the ground providing shelter, food and comfort. Behind the scenes, Red Cross staff coordinate logistics, conduct disaster assessments and assist in recovery.
Who are these incredible people who generously give of their time and talent in the face of disaster? In this series, we will introduce you to many of them.
Name: Jeannie Kropp
Home Chapter: Mile High Area Chapter
Deployment focus: Mass Care/Sheltering
Length of Deployment: 14 Days
When Jeannie Kropp was just a teenager, he parents’ home caught fire and burned to the ground. She still remembers those who came to help her and her family. “I never forgot the help Red Cross gave us, so I volunteer to give back,” said Jeannie.
Giving back is exactly what Jeannie did when Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida. She helped care for those who had to flee their home and made sure everyone in the shelter was fed. Jeannie says one of her most rememberable moments from her deployment is holding a sick child while their mother could gather food.
Jeannie has deployed several times since joining the Red Cross as a volunteer in 2014, so she knew what to expect this time around. “I love deploying because it takes me out of my comfort zone,” said Jeannie. “You learn to have compassion, gratitude and help for those that need it the most, including myself.”
Jeannie encourages anyone to get involved with the Red Cross but does have some advice to those thinking about it. “I tell them joining the Red Cross is like college. You can get involved as little or a lot as you please, but instead of getting a degree you gain a love and respect for nature & humanity.”
Name: JJ Sackett
Home Region: Southeastern Colorado Chapter
Deployment focus: Feeding
Length of Deployment: 14 days
JJ Sackett’s day began by loading trucks up with food to be delivered to 150 people in the Kissimmee neighborhood of Florida. It ended to with a trip to Cracker Barrel to pick up dinners, comfort food of meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, and apples. A way to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian.
“You pulled into these neighborhood and curbs were piled high with moldy furniture, carpeting and toys,” said JJ. “A big crane came to remove bigger stuff like refrigerators that shorted out.”
JJ began volunteering with the Red Cross in 2019 after seeing how Colorado wildfires affected her and her family and wanted to give back. Hurricane Ian was her first deployment, but not her first-time volunteering and giving back to her community. “My first volunteer position was as a candy striper at a hospital in Illinois when I was 14 and I remember how happy it made patients recovering from surgery when I brought the candy cart to their room.”
One of JJ’s most memorable moments about being deployed in Florida, is brining smiles to kids’ faces with Dum Dum suckers after being forced from their homes because of the flood waters. She also has a special place in her heart of Suzi Dietrich, an emergency response driver from Indiana for “being patient with a newcomer like me.”
Name: Michelle Cook
Home Region: Wyoming Chapter
Deployment focus: DES
Length of Deployment: 14 Days
Michelle Cook starts the day by loading up trucks with clean up kits, shovels, rakes, and trash bags and supplies. Then she hits the road to hard hit neighborhoods, knocking on doors to help those in need.
Michelle began volunteering with the Red Cross of Wyoming in December of 2019, but Hurricane Ian was her first national deployment. “It was heartbreaking and hard work physically and emotionally, yet so very rewarding.”
Michelle encountered many people during her time in Fort Myers, sharing laughter through tears with so many people. “We walked a lot, knocked on doors and handed out supplies,” said Michelle. “My body was giving out, but how do you stop when you still have supplies and they need them so badly. However, I consciously chose to stop and smell the flowers throughout the day.”
The emotions of seeing the aftermath of the hurricane and helping so many people came to a head on her last day of deployment. As she dropped off Karen Moehring, another Red Cross volunteer from Minnesota, at the airport, she realized the difference they made for the people of Florida. “We laughed, we cried, we used muscles I didn’t know existed,” said Michelle. “I hugged her tight and shed a few tears for the amazing human I was privileged to share this experience with.”
Volunteers like Jeannie, JJ, and Michelle are just three of the more than 2,500 Red Crossers that have supported Hurricane Ian relief efforts. With our partners, we have provided more than 1.5 million meals and snacks, and more than 404,000 relief items like cleaning supplies and comfort kits. Large disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and tornadoes are increasing in frequency and intensity. It’s critical to have a trained, ready volunteer workforce to make sure we can provide comfort and support to anyone who needs aid after a disaster. Join us to make a difference in our community and help someone in need after a disaster. Learn more at https://www.redcross.org/volunteer.