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 By Chris Campbell
While most Americans viewed the events of 9/11 with a mixture of fear and horror, the first reaction of some citizens was to mobilize and assist others. Teena Kilo of Festus was among those who reached out to the American Red Cross to see how she could help.
“On 9/11, I called the Red Cross and said, ‘What can I do?’” Kilo said. “The whole week I answered the phones for people all over the country looking for lost loved ones. It gave me a great feeling.”
Her spontaneous decision to volunteer for the Red Cross led to additional volunteer work, and eventually, to recognition as the Jefferson County Red Cross Volunteer of the Year.
“I kept coming back, wanting to be part of it, and volunteering a couple of days a week,” she said. “So, then as I learned more about the Red Cross, I decided to search around and I found out about disaster services.”
Red Cross Disaster Action Teams are comprised of local volunteers who mobilize and respond to fires, floods and tornados. While most of the calls are for single-home fires, other disasters can strike close to home when least expected. One such disaster, the Desoto tornado of 2003, struck on Kilo’s first day as a member of the action team.
“When I started, my first meeting turned into a disaster,” she said. “I went in and they said ‘How do you do? There’s a tornado.’ We went straight to Desoto and opened a shelter. My birthday was the following day and I spent my birthday in the shelter with six firefighters singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me with a flashlight and an Oreo cookie.”
Now, roughly 18 months later, Kilo is a disaster team leader.
Kilo said that after experiencing the destruction of their home and living through the nightmare of seeing their loved ones in danger, the last thing on a victim’s mind is finding food, clothes and shelter.
“I get a call and then I go out or dispatch someone to meet with the family (and) find out if they have a place to stay, food, etc.,” she said. “We then give them a client assistance card, which is kind of like a debit card. They can take it to local merchants and buy food and clothing. They can immediately get what they need.”
Offering distressed families assistance is crucial, as the loss of their home and possessions often leaves them in a state of shock and unable to meet basic needs.
“At fires, their heads aren’t always on straight,” she said. “They are devastated. We ask them where will they stay, do they have any friends or family?”
As a disaster team member, Kilo is available for volunteer work in Florida during the hurricane season. She missed Hurricane Charley, but may be deployed for Hurricane Frances.
“I was called when Hurricane Charley hit but I was not available,” she said. “I told them if needed, I could go as early as next Tuesday. They need help. I just talked to a lady who came back from Florida after three weeks. It’s a hardship. Volunteers have to sleep on the floor, but the Red Cross really helps.”
Kilo is also the blood platelet coordinator for the Jefferson County Red Cross Service Center in Arnold.
“Platelets are used for cancer patients,” Kilo said. “The chemotherapy kills platelets and they only have about a five-day shelf life.”
If you don’t want to donate blood, Kilo said other volunteer work is also welcome.
“We can always use volunteers,” she said. “Just tell the Red Cross what your skills are and we can train you. Monetary donations are always welcome.”
Kilo believes working for the Red Cross is a great way to assist people in need and feel good about yourself in return.
“I’ve always been a giver,” she said. “If other people are givers, this will be their heaven.”
For more information on volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross, call 636.464.9150.
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