Red Crossers help with heart ... and soles

By Dan Dowling, Regional Communications Manager

The Red Cross response to the catastrophic flooding started with the Red Crossers right here on the ground in Vermont – but grew quickly to include volunteers from all over the United States. Those volunteers are needed to staff shelters, prepare and deliver meals, and assist with various other tasks that may change day by day. Although the days can be long, volunteers say they feel a sense of purpose and meaning in the work they do to help others.

Sister Hatch and Sister Ivie came from a church group to assist the Red Cross with volunteering efforts. They were assigned to the multi-agency resource center in Johnson. These sites act as a "one-stop shop" for individuals seeking access to a variety of recovery services and programs from multiple agencies, where they can get a hot meal, obtain cleaning supplies, and meet with mental health and spiritual care volunteers.

They got to work filling totes with disaster relief supplies. Each tote contained tarps, a flashlight, cleaning supplies and other items to assist residents in cleaning up after the recent flooding.Sister Hatch had spent so much time on her feet that weekend that her shoes started coming apart at the sole. In order to keep working, she used a few pieces of duct tape to keep her shoes together and continue helping residents in need.

By Monday, Sister Hatch's shoes were in bad shape. The tape was coming off, making it uncomfortable for her to walk around. When Red Cross volunteers noticed the issue, they sprang into action. One volunteer hopped in a vehicle and drove down the street to find her a replacement. A few minutes later, the volunteer returned with a safe, suitable pair of white sneakers in Sister Hatch's size. It was a joyful moment for everyone. 

"Here they go," said Sister Hatch as she ceremoniously threw the old pair in a nearby dumpster, "Woo!"

With her new soles, Sister Hatch didn't miss a beat and got right back to work helping the Red Cross assist flooding survivors in need.

Vermonters are resilient, but they need your help right now. Become a Red Cross volunteer. Join us in our humanitarian mission to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies, from disasters like flooding to home fires across the Green Mountains. Find an opportunity that's right for you.

For more information, visit redcross.org/VolunteerNNE