I joined the Red Cross a year ago today. Since my arrival, I have been touched here by the commitment of staff and volunteers to the mission and to those in the need. Over the past year, I have been exposed to the New Year’s Eve tornado that ripped through Sunset Hills and North St. Louis. I was able to see the devastation and destruction of the tornado first hand. I said to myself when I walked the once tree-lined streets of Sunset Hills “so this is what a tornado does”. I saw firsthand the volunteers assisting and counseling, and when necessary, a warm comforting hug and a reassurance to those who are still in shock as to what they have just endured.

 

“Who trains someone to be consoling and caring?”, I thought. Where do these unique traits come from? I was moved and amazed by the volunteers’ commitment to those affected by the storm. Neither the time of day or date on the calendar made much difference to the disaster volunteers. Those in need come first. 

 

Good Friday of this year was shaping up like any other Friday evening for my family and me - dinner out and plans for family on Easter Sunday. The ill winds of Friday night didn’t get the memo about everyone having plans, nor did the storm care about anyone’s plans. The storm brewed and lashed out, ripping a swath through northern St. Louis County. Having spent 22 years in real estate, I knew the neighborhoods and was too familiar with the area. I knew business owners and homeowners personally. How did they fare?

 

The early light of Saturday morning gave an immediate understanding of the damage and the storm’s path. The sucker punch which landed on the airport Friday night was certainly destructive, but thankfully there were no severe injuries or deaths. ‘Harrowing’ was a constant adjective used to describe the experience at Lambert that night. But the St. Louis Red Cross staff and volunteers - knowing the drill all too well - sprung into action. Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers were in the affected areas immediately. We all asked, “What is with the holiday storms?” Eerie.

 

St. Louis storms gave way to flooding south of St. Louis. Many volunteers packed up and moved on to the next disaster to assist those in need. 

 

Nobody could have anticipated Joplin.

 

Many of you have read and heard countless stories of devastation and loss of life related to Joplin. The Red Cross moved quickly to set up shelters and assist those in need with as much as we could provide as quickly as we could provide it. The pictures really cannot tell the story of the destruction of a tornado of this magnitude. Seeing it firsthand takes your breath away; the destruction, devastation, shock. The communities around Joplin jumped right in with everything they had to assist and help wherever they were needed. The community gave and donated and then donated some more. The donations started coming in from around the state, truck loads of donations: water, food, clothing, financial. Corporations and individuals gave and gave generously. St. Louis companies and individuals dug even deeper (following their own disasters) to help Joplin. Telethons, corporate gifts, individual  gifts -  the generosity of St. Louisians and the surrounding areas was rewarding. I have seen some amazing monetary gifts from persons and companies.    

 

Just yesterday was one of them. I was asked to assist with a gift in the lobby. Since the Good Friday tornadoes, many persons have come into the chapter office to drop off a check or make a contribution with fellow employees. All so generous.

 

Today was different. I met 10-year-old Meredith Duke. Meredith wanted to make a contribution to the Red Cross to the tornado victims of Joplin and St. Louis. Meredith had $85.00 to donate. I asked Meredith where she got the money. I expected a bake sale, or asked family or friends for donations, but I was not ready for her answer, “It’s my birthday money.” Meredith recently turned 10 and received money gifts and presents from friends and family. “I sold the gifts and got money for them”, she said. Meredith handed me a combination of checks and money from her birthday. 

 

Before letting her return home and to school at Babler Elementary in Wildwood, I took Meredith on a quick tour of the chapter office to explain what occurs and how her money will be used.

 

In my estimation, Meredith may have given the most powerful gift of all. Thank goodness for the Meredith Dukes of the world.   

 

Bill