Hello all, I have a few minutes to give you an update.  The shelter I was working in is now closed because all sheltering needs have been met in that particular area. Now I am supervising the Back Data Entry Unit at Baton Rouge Headquarters. I have really enjoyed this job. It works like this: caseworkers are now meeting with families on an individual basis to assess their needs following the hurricane. Caseworkers write up a report for each family and the report comes to me and my team. We enter all the data into the computer database and then cash cards are issued to the families so they can buy new clothes, linens, food and other items they lost in the storm. Although this job is not dealing directly with the clients face to face, it is a very important part of the operation. By entering all this data into the system we are able prevent duplicate payouts to clients. The Red Cross works diligently to be good stewards of the donor dollars and this helps to ensure that assistance is carefully recorded and tracked.

My time here is coming to an end tomorrow. I have learned more than I could have imagined and I have met lots of wonderful people from many different states. I highly recommend that everyone who has an opportunity to go out on assignment does so.  It is a very rewarding experience!