By Emil Joensson, Public Affairs Intern American Red Cross
This past April, a tornado devastated parts of Arkansas. Ruby Richman was among the hundreds of people affected by the storm. “It is hard to explain. To look around you, and everything you knew, is gone. In four minutes, your whole world, your life, has been turned upside down. It was, but it is no more.” In times of such severe crises, the American Red Cross steps in to provide vital support and aid to affected communities.
Ruby has been living in the community for a long time. In the video below, you can see her putting her emotions into words. Feelings toward the tornado, the relief operation, the Red Cross and the future of her community. While the situation was devastating, Rudy chose to see hope. The hope of a more united community that was once segregated, emerges in the aftermath of the tornado.
Phil Martinez, executive director for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado deployed to Arkansas to help with the aftermath of the tornado. He served as an Elective Official Liaison where we worked with elected officials in the community to ensure a successful execution of the relief operation. He had the chance to serve and connect with the community in Arkansas. Ruby was one of those residents he had the chance to speak with.
Deploying far from home is a challenge for several reasons. At the Red Cross, volunteers deploy all over the country and the world to help in relief operations. Currently, there are numerous volunteers from the Colorado & Wyoming area deployed to Guam due to Typhoon Mawar. The size, humanitarian spirit and collaboration between the regions in the Red Cross make this possible.
“We’re very fortunate to have in Colorado and Wyoming and certainly in my region of Southeastern Colorado, people that want to go and run towards every disaster,” said Phil. “We’ve got a large contingency of people willing to do that. Whereas you know that most people run away, we run towards them because that’s where the help is needed and that’s what we do.”
It’s a touch balance though. All regions in the country have a limited workforce, and the challenges in your region do not pause. 90% of the Red Cross workforce is volunteer based. In the current season of floods, wildfires, and home fires, it is a fine line to determine how many volunteers you can afford to deploy. It is situations like this that show the remarkable power and collaboration of the Red Cross.
Helping to alleviate human suffering takes teamwork. Phil says he is happy to have worked with the United Way during his Red Cross career. He also worked closely with the local community in Arkansas and the local Salvation Army to help those in need.
“That’s how it works,” said Phil. “Our teams, their teams, all in collective unison to make sure that we just are there to help during their darkest hours.”
A relief operation for the Red Cross can be heartbreaking as it is rewarding. The response from the Red Cross, other organizations, and the affected community is unifying and powerful.
“It was heart-wrenching. It was emotional. And it was, it was yet inspirational to see the resiliency of all of these wonderful people,” said Phil.
When Phil had the chance to speak with Ruby, she told him she was grateful the Red Cross was there to not only help save lives, but also to help break down barriers and build bridges between people from different backgrounds and communities.
Deploying locally, regionally or around the country can be a challenge for a lot of people, but if you have the time and want an experience for life, Phil suggests you consider it.
“If you want to feel good. If you want to have meaning and you want to know that you can personally make a difference in saving lives,” said Phil. “ That’s what it comes down to for me, two words, saving lives.”
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