Sleeves up. Hearts Open. All In.

By Mimi Teller

In 1994, Yvonne Lambertson’s home burnt to the ground. With an 18-month-old on one hip and a three-month-old on the other, Yvonne’s most vivid memory was the American Red Cross driving up to her burning home not long after the fire department arrived.  

“The Red Cross made sure we had a safe place to stay, and financial assistance to buy clothing and personal care items,” shared Yvonne. “It was amazing how quickly they showed up and how they took care of us.” 

 

Fast forward to the Midwest and Southern tornado disaster of December 2021: As a Red Cross volunteer from Nebraska, Yvonne deployed over the Christmas holidays leaving her six kids, and eight grandchildren to join nearly 500 of her Red Cross peers from across the U.S.  

 

“I know what it’s like to lose everything” reflected Yvonne, “This is where I’m needed right now.”  

 

Yvonne joined the Red Cross in August 2020, and quickly achieved certifications in multiple group activity positions, including Disaster Response, Client Casework, Mass Care Feeding and Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) driver. Emerging from a difficult time in her life, Yvonne looked for a community of like-minded people doing good things, and for Yvonne, her newly extended family became the Red Cross.  

 

Since joining, Yvonne has deployed in person as a disaster responder to the California wildfires, Tennessee flooding, and most recently, the tornado response in Western Kentucky. As one of a few dozen Feeding and ERV volunteers for the tornado response, Yvonne went out into devastated communities every day, distributing up to 300 hot lunches to those affected by the disaster. Yvonne made sure everyone she spoke with knew the Red Cross was in town to aid and made sure everyone who needed aid knew how to reach the Red Cross.   

 

Yvonne’s Kentucky outreach went beyond her scheduled volunteer hours. While off-duty and dining at a local Waffle House restaurant, Yvonne learned that one of their server's home was destroyed by the tornadoes and was unaware of the support offered by the Red Cross. Yvonne made sure the restaurant’s employee had all the information she needed to seek Red Cross help.   

 

“I’ve met some of the greatest people at the Red Cross and in the communities where we work,” Yvonne recollected, “When I deploy to a disaster, I might arrive in a new town not knowing anyone, but when I go back home, I have new friends for life.”  

 

It’s evident Yvonne carries her Red Cross service close to her heart, but she went one step further and tattooed “Red Cross Disaster Services” on her arm, taking the Red Cross motto: “Sleeves Up, Hearts Open, All In” to the next level. 

 

If you or someone you know has been affected by disaster, contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS, or 1-800- 733-2767.