From the moment the first tornado touched down on Good Friday, till the flood waters rose, then receded and more tornadoes hit, the last 6 weeks have admittedly been a bit of a blur.
A well-oiled blur... but a blur nonetheless.
In that time, we've served nearly 80,000 meals and snacks, distributed over 22,000 bulk cleanup items, had nearly 5,000 overnight shelter stays, and have already provided casework to nearly 600 families. As we wrap-up this current operation and look ahead to the potential threat of more flooding, and the impending hurricane season, it's needless to say our volunteers and staff have truly been doing incredible work.
Even though we've all been running in different directions tending to our unique responsibilities, I've had my eyes and ears open, and what's abundantly clear is our staff and volunteer's willingness to fill in the gap - no matter what that gap may be. So here are some of the remarkable ways our volunteers and staff have responded to fill in the gap.....
"We need to get DAT teams to North County NOW! The tornado has just ripped through the airport and has hit several subdivisions."
"Someone needs help on line 1, client assistance on line 2, emergency on line 3, SAF call on line 4, fire in the city on line 5...Roger that."
"It's 2:45 pm and you're asked.....'we need help with phones at the telethon for NBC and CBS...tonight...uh, in a couple of hours! Can you help?"
"It's 4:45 am and your phone rings.....'we'd like to do a media interview with CNN, oh yeah, and can you Skype?"
"I know you are exhausted, but can you mobilize to Cairo for the flooding?"
"How about sitting in the EOC (Emergency Operation Command) for several days? Showering is optional, however, teeth brushing is a must!"
"Do you mind not seeing your family for a few days? How about a couple of weeks?"
"I have had 2 days off in several weeks. Please let me know how else I can help!"
"Here a check, there a check, .... everywhere a check check."
"We need to make 500 sandwiches- I've got the gloves and hairnet."
"Doccoadvoad211doccoadvoad211doccoadvoad211doccoadvoad211. Please...let me be on one more call." (You know who you are…)
No matter what gaps present themselves - whether general, glamorous or gritty- you've willingly filled them all…and you've done it all with a smile. So, to all of our gap fillers, I just wanted to thank each of you for the incredible work you have been doing to help those in need. Together, we have raised over $1.8 million which will go straight back into our local communities to help families rebuild, regroup and begin to fill in their own gaps.
For that, I am truly grateful.
Cindy Erickson
Cindy Erickson is the Regional Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.