If you saw me today, chances are, I was grinning ear to ear. I’m generally a happy person, but today was special. Why you ask??? Because today, the greater St. Louis community (my hometown!) got to learn a bit about the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (a group I’m passionate about) and the assistance they provide to disaster clients (another group I’m passionate about).
A couple of weeks ago, St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter Greg Jonsson and photographer Laurie Skrivan did several “ride alongs” with the Disaster Action Teams who respond in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. They got to see Red Cross volunteers, on the front lines, providing for the immediate emergency needs of families affected by disaster. They did an outstanding and accurate job documenting what they saw and they share the DAT story in today’s Post Dispatch. If you haven’t seen the article yet,
here’s a link.
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| Photo courtesy: St. Louis Post-Dispatch/ Photographer Laurie Skrivan |
Make sure to check out the photo gallery attached to the story too – there you’ll see DAT members, clients and firefighters.
As you can see in the photos, our DAT is a diverse group. DAT members are new and experienced volunteers, retirees and students, men and women who bring a wide-variety of experiences to the table. But all Red Cross workers are united by the desire to help and make a difference. I enjoy my co-workers (both volunteer and paid) very much. They are my Red Cross family. And I’m so proud to work with such dedicated group.
Like the DAT, our clients come from all walks of life too. But no matter age, race, nationality, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, class or political views, when affected by a disaster, there are certain emergency needs we all have: food, clothing, a safe place to rest, emotional support and physical health support (e.g., life sustaining medications, first aid, etc.). The DAT works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to meet these needs.
Providing this assistance is what we do. It’s part of our Red Cross Mission…to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
I love the mission of the American Red Cross. More importantly I believe in the mission of the Red Cross. And I know that what I do makes a difference, everyday, for people affected by disasters.
So, as 2009 comes to a close and 2010 opens new opportunities, I ask you to support us. We need your help.
Because when you support the American Red Cross, you change a life…starting with your own.
Becky White is a disaster specialist for the St. Louis Area Chapter.