Red Cross Volunteer Uses Time in the U.S. to Give Back

Stranded in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Holly Ebdon found herself looking for something to occupy her time when she discovered an opportunity with the American Red Cross.

Holly was visiting the U.S. in February 2020 on vacation when her flight back to England was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Holly’s Visitors Visa expired before she had the chance to return home, so she applied for a Green Card with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but was told she was not able to work in the U.S. until her Green Card was issued.

As a former teacher in England, Holly looked for ways to use her experience through volunteer teaching opportunities. That’s when she discovered Prepare with Pedro, a Red Cross initiative that teaches Kindergarten – 2nd graders disaster preparedness at an age-appropriate level. Holly says the local Red Cross chapter in the Central and Southern Ohio Region also asked her if she would be interested in becoming a part of the Disaster Action Team (DAT), volunteers who help assist those who are impacted by home fires.

In addition to becoming a DAT volunteer, Holly began deploying to national disasters. Her first response was in September 2020 to Louisiana where she helped the Red Cross provide relief efforts to survivors of Hurricane Laura. Holly says the rest was history, as she continued to deploy to various disasters across the U.S. while awaiting her Green Card – which was finally issued in July 2022.

“I always say to other people who say to me, ‘it’s fantastic what you’re doing’ but I say it’s fantastic what Red Cross has done for me,” said Holly. “I’m so grateful to American Red Cross…they have saved me in so many different ways. I couldn’t get back to England, I couldn’t work, I was literally lost in America, and they have scooped me up and taken me into their arms and I feel so thankful to the Red Cross, I could cry, literally cry.”

Holly served as a staff shelter manager during the recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky. She lives with friends in Ohio; however, she says she is only there approximately 10 weeks out of the year as she stays busy deploying to help with disasters with Red Cross. Holly has a planned trip home to England in late November to see her parents for the first time in almost three years, but says she plans to return to the U.S. and continue working with the Red Cross.

You can learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteer

Terre Shannon, Red Cross Disaster Health Services Volunteer

An essential part of Red Cross disaster work is the health services team. Terre Shannon is a part of our Disaster Health Services team providing medical necessities to those impacted by floods. Terre began volunteering with Red Cross by accident in 1994.

“There was an earthquake in California. I decided to take a donation to the office. Next thing I know, a TV station has the camera on me and asks how long I’ve been volunteering. I said I don’t think I’m with them- I just came to drop off a check. The Red Cross worker came up and said yes she is- she’s a Red Crosser!” explained Terre. 

Terre assisted residents at the Wolfe County High School Red Cross shelter. She explained she helps with injuries, illnesses, wounds, and medications.

“We get their medications that they lost and connect with the pharmacies to replace them,” said Terre. Multiple shelter residents had experienced cuts, bruising and headaches among other issues. Terre expressed appreciation for the shelter residents, saying “Everybody here has been wonderful. They have gone above and beyond. They jump right in to help each other and that helps the medical team.” 

During the December western Kentucky tornados, Terre was deployed to assist with health services. She remembers one woman she helped who was trapped under rubble. The woman was rescued and had bruises all over her. “I asked her, what can I do for you? And she said, ‘I’d really like a shower’ and I was thinking: how am I going to get her in the shower? I don’t want to further injure her. I held her up in the shower because she couldn’t stand. We both cried and she said, ‘please stay with me don’t go.’ I told her I had to go sleep but I will be back. I came back the next morning and had breakfast with her. She was so thankful someone could be there for her in that moment.” 

Giving back is a natural response for Terre. “I love helping people. Whenever I can help, I can. Because I would want the same for my family,” said Terre.

Learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer.  

HOPE AACR Brings Joy and Comfort to Eastern Kentucky

First responders are an essential part of disaster recovery. The Red Cross team in Eastern Kentucky has been assisting on the ground to alleviate human suffering. It can be long days that require breaks and stress relief. One way the team decompressed was by partnering with HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (HOPE AACR). 

“We started this organization in 2001 because we saw a need for it after the search and rescue dogs and therapy dogs helped in 9/11,” said Valerie Wolford, Southeast Co-Regional Manager for HOPE AACR.

Red Cross public affairs team member Marita
with Tovah

The HOPE AACR website explains the assisted intervention as unique: “Teams are screened and trained to respond in more intense emotional and environmental situations…HOPE AACR certified teams are required to go through specialized training such as: crisis intervention skills (emotional first aid), animal behavior and stress management, critical incident stress management, incident command system training, first aid and CPR, and pet first aid, to name a few.”

HOPE AACR dogs and handlers visited Red Cross workers as well as residents in multiple shelters in Eastern Kentucky. Dae Grodin, a volunteer with HOPE AACR, and her dog Tovah have been together for 14 years. They have been a HOPE AACR team for 8 years deploying in crisis response to disasters like recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky. This was a special visit for Dae and Tovah, as Dae rescued Tovah in Pike County located in Eastern Kentucky. “I’m always happy to work with Red Cross,” commented Dae.

Dae and Tovah

Tovah is a 14-year-old German Shepherd mix who is described as very relaxed and loves being around people. The team were able to provide comfort, support, and encouragement across Eastern Kentucky. 

“Tovah came and laid right next to me on the floor. She brought peace, love, and kisses! They brightened our day,” said Brandy Graham,ed Cross worker.

Jennifer Jett-Prezkopp is a Red Cross worker who says Dae and Tovah’s visit came at the perfect time. “As an animal lover, I was so excited to see Tovah the Disaster K-9. I have pets at home I miss, and it warmed my heart to be able to pet and love on an animal for a few minutes in my busy day. Tovah’s presence was very calm and comforting for me…There is something soothing about an animal’s unconditional love, and I’m so glad these pups were made available to the people hurting in Kentucky. I know they put smiles on the faces of a lot of tired people.”

Red Cross partners with many organizations to make our work possible. HOPE AACR is deeply appreciated for the services they provide to the people of Kentucky. To learn more about HOPE AACR, visit https://www.hopeaacr.org/

Breathitt County Woman Finds Joy Amid Tragedy

Joyce Ann Hensley is from Breathitt County where her home was dismantled during the Eastern Kentucky floods. Last week she sought shelter at the Wolfe County High School Red Cross shelter. Joyce Ann reflected on the loss she has experienced, saying “It’s destroyed me. You can’t even walk into my trailer. Everything is muddy.”

Like many of us, Joyce Ann has sentimental items in her home. “I had some Barneys like him (pictured) I wanted to try to get. I would love to get my movies and CD’s back. I have a lot of favorite movies,” she said. Joyce Ann said her family was relieved to learn that she and her husband were alive. Many of the residents in Eastern Kentucky endured power outages which resulted in delays to speak with family.

Joyce Ann is still managing to smile and be kind to others despite what happened to her. “The Red Cross has done good with me,” said Joyce Ann. “They have been very nice to me. This right here, a roof over my head and food to eat.” She also had her prescriptions replaced by our Red Cross Disaster Health Services nurse.

Two weeks after deadly flooding ripped through Kentucky, some 400 trained Red Cross disaster workers continue to work around the clock to provide a safe place to stay, food to eat, critical relief supplies and emotional support for those affected by this tragedy. Visit redcross.org to learn more.

Red Cross Partners with Operation BBQ Relief to Support Kentucky Residents

The American Red Cross has been working around the clock with our partners to provide critical support to help those impacted by flash flooding in Eastern Kentucky. One of those partners is Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit organization that helps feed first responders and communities affected by natural disasters.

Partnering with Red Cross to feed those impacted by the Kentucky floods, Operation BBQ Relief – based in Missouri – is a caravan of cooks, mobile pits, kitchens, and volunteers from across the nation. During this relief operation, the kitchen setup in Hazard, KY preparing lunch and dinner seven days a week. Operation BBQ Relief is partnering with Red Cross to utilize emergency response vehicles and volunteers to deliver meals twice daily throughout the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.

Mike Richter,
Operation BBQ Relief

 
Mike Richter, Site Lead and Expedite for Operation BBQ Relief, explained that the pit cooks have early start days and endure intense cooking conditions working with the tilt skillets that are at boiling temperatures, hours of opening cans, and double the workload as they prepare two meals daily. Mike says he depends on the Red Cross to obtain the numbers of meals needed and then it’s his job to process the orders through the pickup line, where he says he ensures the Red Cross volunteers have what they need to serve the impacted communities.

Mike says Operation BBQ Relief has approximately 21 volunteers working in Kentucky to ensure they fulfill their mission, “We feed the people, that’s what we’re here to do.”

Learn more about Operation BBQ Relief's mission here.