Dear Family and Friends,

As most of you know, I'm in Fargo, ND, with the Red Cross. I was sent here to help set up and work in a shelter for the evacuees who are being affected by the flooding on the Red and other rivers. If you've watched any TV at all today, you may have noticed that not only is there a severe flooding situation here, but it's also been snowing since the early hours of the morning. I finally got the snow fall I've been wanting for so long.

I'm not even sure how deep it is by now, but I had to buy a pair of boots because it was way too deep to walk in and avoid. I didn't bring my boots from home because my suitcase was already too heavy to carry with all the winter clothes I had to pack. Now, I guess I'll have to sling those monsters over my shoulder when I finally get out of her in three weeks!

We spent yesterday and today basically sitting in our Chapter Headquarters here in Fargo waiting to be told which teams we would be assigned to and who would be on each team. Hurry up and wait...I hate waiting! I am amazed at the planning and logistics that has to be in place for a NDR (National Disaster Response). If you were to walk through the halls at Chapter you would see people of all ethnicities, young, elderly and some not so elderly talking and helping where necessary. Some volunteers were sent out on Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) to feed the National Guard soldiers and Fargo citizens who were trying to keep the Red River from flooding their homes. The situation is BRUTAL with the wind driven snow, water and the horrific cold.  I'm grateful to be in a hotel for another night at least and not have to be out in the elements with them.

Presently, there are 24 ERVs here and their members will more than double tomorrow. These vehicles are from every state in the nation and it is incredible to see them lined up and getting ready to deploy to areas in which they are needed. I have often said, I feel it is an honor to be a part of an organization that has such an incredible history of service to those who are in need from soldiers in our many wars to citizens who've known the devastation of tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, fires, etc. There is so much to share, but I'm pretty tired tonight. I will write more later. I hope all of you are well and enjoying the wonders of spring.

PLee

Patty Lee is a Disaster Services volunteer for the St. Louis Area Chapter.