Hurricane Ian's Aftermath: a Halloween to remember

By Betty Adams, Red Cross volunteer

Just before climbing into a shuttle to head to the airport in Fort Myers, Florida, Michael Thurston, an American Red Cross volunteer from Auburn, Maine, reflected on his first deployment to aid those affected by a disaster.

“It was absolutely rewarding,” he said. “It was humbling to meet everybody that was affected by the hurricane. I talked to old and younger individuals who lost everything. It really takes you back, to ground you with what you have in your life. It was a fantastic deployment, and I would do it again.” 

Thurston worked as a shelter associate at a Red Cross-managed shelter in Englewood, Florida, assisting people who lost their homes and possessions to the wind and storm surge of Hurricane Ian, which struck the southwest coast of Florida in late September. The Category 4 storm left at least 119 people dead and numerous buildings destroyed.

The Red Cross and partners provided shelter to more than 6,800 people affected by the disaster and cleanup efforts continue.

Thurston’s volunteer assignment ended the day after Halloween, and he was happy to be able to spend the holiday with his new friends.

“We decorated the whole building," he said. "We went out and got face paint and all that for the kids and some costumes. We had them go into the headquarters office, and they had a Halloween contest. We gave out candy to them. It was really rewarding to see.”

Thurston, who has been a volunteer with the Red Cross for six months, said he will always remember two women he met in the shelter, one in a wheelchair and one on a walker. He said he was happy to learn they were moving out of the shelter to a new home the day he left.

“The elderly called me ‘Mike,’ but the younger ones called me Mr. Mike.” 

Thurston, who retired from the U.S. Postal Service where he served as postmaster in Augusta, said he will tell his friends “to praise God for what they have because you never know when you’re going to be on the other end of one of these disasters.” 

And he’s ready to help out again. Next time he may even tackle a supervisor role. 

Thurston also said he won’t grumble about taking out the trash at home anymore. “Not after taking out eight bags a day.”

Help can’t wait when emergencies strike. Join us to prevent and alleviate suffering by donating at redcross.org/gift.

To learn more about becoming a Red Cross disaster volunteer visit redcross.org/VolunteerNNE.