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| Purchase a Personal Comfort Kit and provide hope this holiday season. |
Being new to the Red Cross and the Disaster Action (DAT) team I didn’t knew what to expect when riding the DAT truck. One particular night we were called out to a fire with a single family who was affected. When we first arrived at the fire seen I didn’t realize the impact of the fire until I saw the family sitting on the porch of their neighbors house utterly devastated. Looking across the street to where their house of 20 years once stood, all I could see was 3 walls and the darkness of the charred interior fill the space. My team and I knew that the family was going to need more than comforting words.
On the DAT Truck we carry a supply of things that can be used in such situations. One of the most important is a comfort kit. In the comfort kit we have supplies such as washcloth, soap, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, mouthwash, shaving cream, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb and facial tissue; the basic hygiene supplies of one’s day-to-day life. These are things we don’t really think about needing, they have become such a part of your daily routine it’s not something you notice. That is, until it is gone.
When we presented these comfort kits to the family, they could not express in words how grateful they were. They hugged us, cried, and tried to say thank you. The simple act of giving someone something so small, caused much more emotion than I ever had expected. It was amazing. It really can show you that it truly is the little things in life that can have the biggest impact.
For families devastated by hurricanes, fires and floods, the simplest supplies are a great treasure. For $45, you can provide 15 much-needed
Basic Necessity Comfort Kits that include shampoo, soap, deodorant, a toothbrush and other essential personal care and hygiene supplies. Visit the
Holiday Giving Guide today, and let your gifts save the day this holiday season.
Kathrine
Kathrine Vigil is the AmeriCorps NPRC Response Member for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.