My Story: Deploying to help after Hurricane Milton

Written by Amy Miller, Communications Manager for the American Red Cross Kentucky Region

What got you involved with the Red Cross?

Amy outside the Red Cross
Tampa Bay Regional Headquarters,
Tampa, FL

I learned about the Red Cross in 2015 when I was looking for opportunities to expand my skills after I graduated from college. I started out writing volunteer profiles and monitoring social media as a public affairs volunteer with the Louisville Area Chapter, my local chapter. I’ve been with the Red Cross ever since, and recently became the Communications Manager for the Kentucky Region. In the 9 years I’ve been with the Red Cross, I’ve helped with our Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation events, visited blood drives to talk to donors and traveled across the state for tornado, severe weather and flood responses. My first disaster relief operation was the response to the 2018 flooding that impacted communities along the Ohio River. More recently, I deployed to Franklin, Kentucky to support the 2021 December tornado response, and Lexington, Kentucky to help after flooding impacted Eastern Kentucky in 2022. This October, I had the opportunity to help communities in Florida that were impacted by Hurricane Milton on my first national disaster relief operation.

What’s deployment to a disaster relief operation like?

I think most people think of sheltering or feeding when they think of deployment, which are vital roles during a disaster relief operation, but there are a lot of other ways you can volunteer, too! When I deploy, I deploy as part of our Red Cross public affairs team. The public affairs team, in a nutshell, tells the story of the Red Cross and the communities the Red Cross is helping. This can mean doing interviews with the media to share information about how the Red Cross is responding. It can also mean going out to shelters, distribution sites and other events in disaster-impacted communities. We take photos of the work Red Crossers are doing, get quotes from the partners we work alongside, and help share the stories of the people we’re helping.

Tampa, FL. Photo credit: Sivani Babu, 
American Red Cross Central California Region

Deployments last for at least two weeks. When I went to Florida for Hurricane Milton, I stayed at a hotel near Tampa for a few days and then spent the rest of my time there in a staff shelter. I was paired with another public affairs volunteer, and we were partners for the whole deployment. We would take turns driving to our assignments, taking photos and asking questions during the day. When we returned to our lodging at night, we’d sort through the day’s photos, write up stories and captions and make plans for the next day’s activities. Wherever there were Red Crossers at work is where we’d be to help share their stories and get information out to the community.

I’ve had a lot of people ask me what I pack when I deploy. I’ve taken to telling them a sense of humor and a lot of flexibility. Disaster relief operations are constantly adapting and changing to meet the needs of the community. One day my partner and I would be working with a volunteer team passing out lunches and supplies at a community center in Tampa. The next, we’d be three hours away in Vero Beach following an emergency response vehicle as it traveled through tornado-devastated neighborhoods to serve hot meals to the community. You have to be flexible to be able to better help the people we serve!

The humor comes in handy on long car rides and after long days. Being able to go back to the staff shelter and share stories with people who come from all over the country to help was an amazing way to end each day.

What’s the difference between deploying nationally and deploying at home?

Hurricane debris near Horseshoe Beach, FL.

The biggest difference I noticed when I deployed for Hurricane Milton was being able to fully immerse myself in the disaster response. When you respond to a disaster in your own backyard, you may be impacted yourself or know people who were affected. When I was in Florida, I kept in touch with people back home, but my only focus was on the community in Florida and how I could help. It gave me a better appreciation of the volunteers who leave their families and put their own lives on hold for two weeks to lend a hand during disasters across the country.

Is there a moment from deploying that stands out to you?

It’s hard to pick the most memorable moment from my Hurricane Milton deployment because every day was something new. Early in the deployment, I remember my partner and I sitting down at the end of a long day on the road with the congregation of a church the volunteers we’d been following had delivered meals to. The residents there had only recently gotten power back to their neighborhood and had lost all the food in their refrigerators, but they’d invited us to stay and have dinner with them.

One of the most impactful experiences came on our last day of deployment. My partner and I got a tour of a beautiful small town on the Gulf of Mexico about three hours north of Tampa, on the back of a golf cart. Every single building had been damaged by hurricanes and flooding. The resident who gave us the tour had been working with the Red Cross long-term recovery team since Hurricane Idalia destroyed her home in 2023, and the Red Cross was continuing to support her through the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. She shared with us that when things settled in her life, she wanted to become a Red Cross volunteer and help others the way the Red Cross had helped her.

Pinellas Park, FL. Photo credit: Sivani Babu, 
American Red Cross Central California Region

Sprinkled in between were the intensely human interactions that reminded me of how important the Red Cross mission to end human suffering is: Being able to talk to people working in businesses in Tampa and lending an ear and a shoulder when they shared how their homes and loved ones had been impacted by the hurricanes; laughing with people from an impacted community who had stopped their truck to check on me, because I’d gotten out of the car to help a turtle cross the road; working alongside local Red Cross volunteers who had been supporting their neighbors since the beginning of hurricane season, while navigating their own hurricane clean up.

Every day, I spoke with someone who had been impacted by the hurricanes or who had been helped by the Red Cross. It was a humbling and rewarding experience.

The mission of the Red Cross would not be possible without our volunteers and donors. Our volunteers are on the ground, supporting people as they recover from what can be the worst moments of their lives. Our donors make the Red Cross mission possible. Their support allows Red Crossers like me to deploy to disasters like Hurricane Milton to support communities in times of need. You can learn more about supporting the mission of the Red Cross by visiting redcross.org/gift.

Disaster Action Team Volunteer, Peter Waldrab, Says Helping Others is 'Rewarding'

Written by Kelly Carroll. Photos provided by Peter Waldrab.

Every day dedicated Red Cross volunteers in Kentucky help their neighbors recover from disasters. When the unthinkable happens, like a house fire, these volunteers assist disaster victims in big and small ways. Peter Waldrab is one such dedicated volunteer. 

Peter and his wife, Alicia, are Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers who meet with families just after they've experienced a home fire. Peter said, "We meet with families, talk with them, and collect information to help case workers get families assistance with recovery." Peter and Alicia serve with the Red Cross in addition to maintaining day jobs and raising three children.  

Peter is the VP of Electric Distributions Operations for Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Company (KU). In this role, he leads a team responsible for keeping the lights on in about one million Kentucky homes. Peter explained that because his work keeps him very busy on weekdays, he often volunteers with the Red Cross on weekends.  

Peter started volunteering with the Red Cross Kentucky Region in 2023 after moving to Louisville from Philadelphia in 2022. He explained that supporting others through volunteering is important to him. He emigrated to the United States from the United Kingdom at a young age, and because he received "invaluable helping hands along the way," he wanted to help others. He has previously volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and food banks.  

In addition to helping him give back to the community, volunteering with the Red Cross has also helped Peter get to know the communities in Louisville. "I've met some incredible people volunteering," Peter said. "It's incredible to see how people come together for one another in a difficult time. I routinely see neighbors who were strangers before a fire occurs jump in to support one another in recovery." 

Peter recalled responding to a recent home fire in Indiana where the family lost everything. "The smoke alarms went off, and the family had time to evacuate, but they only got out of the house with the pajamas that they were wearing, their dog, and their cellphones.  Everything else—wallets, cars, etc—was destroyed in the fire." Peter explained that even though the family had insurance to replace their things, they needed short-term help. They had lost their wallets and cars and couldn't get around or buy the things they needed for the next few days. "We were able to provide some valuable information and cover their immediate needs. It was a huge relief for the family, and a rewarding moment for my wife and I," Peter said.  

DAT volunteers like Peter and Alicia make an immeasurable impact on the lives of the people they serve. Thank you, Peter, Alicia, and all the other DAT volunteers, for your continued service! 

Three Decades of Volunteerism: Cindy Thompson

 By Kevin Sandell, American Red Cross communications volunteer 

Cindy Thompson (middle), stands with Dan Wirth and Jennifer Adrio outside of a mobile Emergency Operations Center during the last solar eclipse in August 2017 in Kentucky.

Lifelong Kentucky resident, Cindy Thompson, has volunteered with the American Red Cross for over three decades, and said she’s passionate about helping those in need. Over 90% of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross is conducted by volunteers, which brings many benefits, she said.

“Volunteering … offers numerous benefits, both for our community and for us as volunteers,” Cindy said. “We make a difference as volunteers; we directly impact people’s lives during emergencies. We also work on meaningful projects such as smoke alarm installations.”

Cindy serves as a volunteer Disaster Program Manager with the American Red Cross Western Kentucky Chapter, and her husband is also a Red Cross volunteer. She said the most interesting aspect of her volunteer work is “working with [individuals and families needing assistance],” but added that there’s a lot of “late-night computer work,” involved in her role.

“[I’ve gained] friendships with other Red Cross volunteers, first responders, Red Cross staff, and those who have been helped by the Red Cross,” she said.

Regional Disaster Cycle Services teams manage emergency response, relief, and recovery across geographical regions. Disaster Program Managers collaborate with other Red Cross staff and departments that support the DCS priorities and support the engagement and development of other volunteers. They serve as a vital link in the disaster response mission of the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross Western Kentucky Chapter is headquartered in Owensboro, Kentucky, and serves 20 Kentucky counties and five Illinois counties. The chapter also has field offices in Paducah, Hopkinsville, and Madisonville, all in Kentucky.

Cindy said when she’s not volunteering with the Red Cross, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, thrifting, and doing Zumba after work. She also serves as a volunteer clergywoman at Baptist Health Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky. She currently works for Edward Jones in Paducah.

The Western Kentucky Chapter falls under the Red Cross Kentucky Region. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, and relies on donations of time, money, and resources from individuals in the local community, corporate partners, and like-minded foundations to do its work.

Red Cross Services are provided throughout Kentucky thanks to the generous commitment of thousands of local volunteers, like Cindy. 

Nikki Salladay Talks Strong Women, Leaning into Ministry

Standing in your truth and who you are takes courage and emotional intelligence. No one knows this better than Nikki Salladay, our Regional Disaster Officer. “I have been called intimidating. There are often situations where I think if a male spoke in the same way, it would be called direct. But I’m intimidating,” said Nikki. “I’ve been in situations where I could allow myself to be silent, but I don’t. I choose not to. It’s not who I am. I show up as myself, and if you like me- great. If you don’t- as long as we can get stuff done, I’m okay. I think most of us hope we are liked and appreciated, but at the end of the day, it’s more about serving our communities than it is about ‘do you like me.”

Nikki comes from a family of helpers, with most of them going into the medical field. She found her passion in ministry when she was 16 years old. Nikki ran the Red Cross club at Butler High School in Louisville and worked in churches most of her life, helping with community outreach and youth programs. Nikki received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Southeast and a master’s in Christian Education from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She coordinated the Red Cross blood drives at her church every 56 days.

Nikki became a Disaster Program Manager (DPM) after moving to Michigan. “Take a passion, take an ability to be relatively calm under pressure, see the world like a puzzle, while also taking the years I’ve managed volunteers and combine those together,” she said. “There’s so much that comes into this for my faith… A background of compassion, forgiveness, and washing one another’s feet. The servant mentality coincides perfectly.”

Moving back to Kentucky 4 years ago, Nikki became our Senior DPM and promptly transitioned into her current role. It wasn’t just a new job, volunteers, and staff to get to know. “Within those years we had multiple natural disasters that devastated the state,” said Nikki. “You experience every heightened emotion during a disaster. Sometimes it’s just about holding on and doing the best you can. Find pockets of hope.” 

She is proud she can boost the voices of female leaders. “I love the Red Cross for that reason, because there are a lot of women in leadership. Looking at our division disaster executives- 4 out of the 6 are women. We work so hard to involve all genders and lean into diversity,” said Nikki. The field of emergency management is still heavily male dominant, however. “That has been an interesting world to navigate. I had 12 counties, only two of them had female emergency managers. 98% of fire chiefs are males.”

“I’m most proud of the people around me. Whether it’s staff or a volunteer. When people feel confident to step into their own. When they feel like they have done a good job. When I’ve been a part of developing and encouraging them,” said Nikki.

Nikki has been married to Adam for 16 years. Their hobbies include hosting game nights with friends, going hiking, and spending time with their fur baby, Mira. #WomensHistoryMonth

National Nurses Week: Cindy Keeney

It’s #NationalNursesWeek and today we are recognizing Cindy Keeney, a valued member of our Disaster Health Services (DHS) team. Cindy started her nursing journey as an intensive care nurse in the Emergency Room. She then went to work for the Kentucky state hospital association. There, she began writing a grant to improve end of life care. “The University of Louisville School of Medicine didn’t want the work to end,” said Cindy. “They decided to roll it over into an initiative with the School of Public Health and the medical school. I helped them start the program.”

Photos courtesy Cindy Keeney

Cindy did end of life care research and eventually began creating health care apps for patients with chronic diseases. “It’s so the patients can recover and transition from an acute care bed to being at home… I wrote algorithms into telehealth devices, and it would assess the patient daily. It would attach biometrics that could let them know ‘take an extra water pill,” said Cindy. “It catches health concerns before they become a problem. It keeps them in a stable place of health and wellness.”

Her work then became international, helping a mental health organization in Europe improve the health and well being of citizens. Now Cindy is teaching Health Services courses at Ivy Tech Community College and is a Clark County health department contract nurse. Cindy has been volunteering with us for 6 years. “I’m the co-lead for Disaster Health Services and I train all the new Health Services workers,” she said.

Cindy assists the Red Cross West Virginia Region as well. “Some people ask why I work with the Integrated Care Condolence Team (ICCT) as they feel it’s depressing, but it’s not really. It’s all an extension of my nursing. It’s not a job it’s a calling. Helping people in their most vulnerable state. To help them get back on their feet and feel like they can move forward is incredibly rewarding,” said Cindy.

Her favorite memory is helping a Veteran in the Harlan, Kentucky floods in 2020. “He had lost a leg in service and had a prosthetic. He was staying in a metal shed. The shed door didn’t close all the way. He was staying there and had lost his CPAP machine and prosthetic leg,” reflected Cindy.

Over time, his prosthetic leg was replaced, and he had a roof over his head. “The University of Kentucky helped us contact the makers of the prosthetic leg. They gave him the replacement at no charge,” said Cindy. “Someone the man knew needed work around her house and she ended up giving him room and board. We got his CPAP machine replaced… by the end, he was so grateful.”

Thank you, Cindy, for sharing your story and being a member of our DHS team!

Volunteer Appreciation Month: John Sternberg

Bluegrass Area Chapter volunteer John Sternberg has a long history with the Red Cross. Originally from Louisville, KY, John did community service with the Red Cross during his high school days by working in the print shop at the Louisville Area Chapter office. John has also been donating blood since he was 18 years old and estimates that, as of today, he’s donated over 5 gallons.

John (right), with fellow Red Cross volunteers.
Photo credit: John Sternberg

John was a federal agent with the Department of Health and Human Services for 25 years and served as an air marshal for 5 months after 9/11. His career took him to Ohio and Georgia, until he moved back to Kentucky in 1997. After he retired, he decided to get involved as a volunteer.

“I think it’s important to be able to do something when tragedy occurs,” said John. “The best outlet I could find was with the Red Cross.”

He joined the Red Cross Bluegrass Area Chapter in 2021 and began volunteering with the Disaster Action Team (DAT) responding to home fires in the Lexington area.

“I interviewed people over the phone and did training on the computer,” said John. “Then I started meeting with people to do the DAT local responses.”

John has deployed to disasters several times since he became a volunteer. He deployed to the tornado response in Western Kentucky in 2021 and the flood response in Eastern Kentucky in 2022. He has also deployed to Puerto Rico, Florida, California, and Texas to assist with everything from flooding and hurricanes to tornadoes.

John shared that his roles vary when he deploys.

Photo credit: John Sternberg

“I did [sheltering] for like 4 days in Eastern Kentucky, but then switched to distribution of emergency supplies,” said John. “And when they sent me to Puerto Rico, it was actually for damage assessment.”

John went on to explain he usually works in sheltering or logistics during a disaster response. As part of his chapter volunteer activities, John responds to home fires and recently taught his first First Aid/CPR class in the Bluegrass Area Chapter.

When asked why he volunteers, John said it was because he wanted to be able to give back: “I’ve been blessed in my life. To be able to give back and to do something in a time of need, just to be able to get down there and be involved.”

“We need to look out for each other,” John added. “It doesn’t have to be a big thing. It could be collecting money and donating it, it could be to giving your time. There’s always going to be that need, whether it’s a fire or natural disaster, just to be able to help those in need.”

Thank you, John, for your dedication to the Red Cross mission! Learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteer.

#MyStoryMonday: Ray Tillman

Ray (center) with Red Cross volunteers from Pennsylvania.
Photo credit: Ray Tillman

During a disaster, communication with loved ones is a top priority. Getting a simple message to your family that you are safe can mean the world to them. No one knows this better than Ray Tillman, Amateur Radio Liaison for the Red Cross. “I try to pick up new amateur radio hands to become volunteers. That way, if they are on deployment and they have a radio that’s capable, they can take it with them on deployment,” said Ray.

Ray is from Marion, Ohio and got involved with the Red Cross in 2014. He belonged to an amateur radio club that set up a station in Shepherdsville. The previous Red Cross Disaster Program Manager Mike Crenshaw told Ray they needed his skills. “They handed me a computer and said here you go,” explained Ray. Ray works with the area radio stations to communicate messages to the Red Cross.

“It comes in handy. When the tornadoes hit Western Kentucky, they drove people around for Damage Assessment. Driver would be amateur radio operator and would operate radio. They used them for a couple of days while the internet was out,” said Ray. You must be licensed to get on the radio and use different frequencies to communicate long distance. Amateur Radio Liaison’s take a go kit on a disaster response and can get ahold of someone who is monitoring the radio.

Photo credit: Ray Tillman

“I can be monitoring the radio and all of a sudden get a message from Cuba,” said Ray. He assisted a lot of people in Cuba over the Thanksgiving holiday and ended up helping the International Red Cross. That’s one of his favorite memories of being a volunteer. “It was a couple in Cuba that wanted to make contact with family in Louisville, Kentucky… It was after the hurricanes had hit there. It was a thrill to connect with the International Red Cross and help. Not many volunteers can say they have done that,” expressed Ray.

Not many volunteers would give up full days and holidays to help others, but Ray loves his work. When the hurricanes hit Puerto Rico, he was on the radio 24/7. “I still get messages from Puerto Rico because only about half of the island has communication. There are still parts with none at all,” said Ray. For areas like this, amateur radio is their only resource for communicating with loved ones.

Ray currently has a station set up at his house in his kitchen. It’s long hours but he stays stocked with a coffee maker, freezer, stove, and fridge nearby. If he ever loses power, he’s prepared with a backup generator. “I’ve got 1,000 watts that I can reach out and touch somebody,” commented Ray.

When disaster hits, Ray is up all-night monitoring storms and maps. “If there’s a tornado, I can follow that storm and know where it’s going. In the meantime, I’m listening to the radio to listen to comments coming out of affected areas to hear damages. People missing. I take that information and relay it to the Red Cross disaster team.”

Photo credit: Ray Tillman

This information helps the local disaster teams get prepared, because most likely we are not on the scene until the next day. We need time to mobilize, and Ray assists in that preparation. The first 48 hours is crucial in a disaster operation, and he helps bridge that gap.

Outside of radio efforts, Ray assists the Red Cross with other community programs. During Thanksgiving, he has helped pass out turkeys to families who had lost their homes. At Christmas parties, he’s assisted with passing out toys to kids. Ray has also responded to home fires in the local area.

Now 83 years young, Ray likes to fish and watch Ohio State athletics. He was in law enforcement for 12 years working in narcotics. He is a past President of the Bullitt Amateur Radio Society and plans to host ARRL Summer Field Day at the Louisville Red Cross office parking lot in June.

ARRL is the American Radio Relay League. Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the U.S. and Canada, according to ARRL.org. It’s held on the fourth full weekend in June. Ray has a team roster ready to camp out and practice their emergency response capabilities.

Volunteers like Ray inspire us to keep doing the hard work! We are so appreciative of his dedication to help families in the U.S. and other countries.

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

Legacy of Volunteerism in Perry County, KY

Honoring his namesake, Brenda Fletcher – granddaughter of Roy G. Eversole – says her grandfather would be so proud to know the elementary school that bears his name was being utilized as an American Red Cross shelter to care for those who were impacted by the recent Kentucky floods. “He was really dedicated to the people of the mountains,” explained Brenda, as she reminisced about her grandfather’s legacy in the community.

Brenda, right, speaks with Red Crosser
Misty Thomas

Roy G. Eversole was the superintendent of Perry County for approximately 25 years, according to Brenda, who said when the elementary school was built the community chose to name the school in honor of their dedicated leader, her grandfather. “He had many opportunities to leave but he would not leave…these were his people and he wanted to take care of them,” stated Brenda as she described his dedication to his volunteerism to Red Cross and how important her grandfather found the work to be for his community.

Brenda said she was not impacted by the flood; however, she shared a startling story of her friend who slept through the flood waters rising and awakened after they had receded, “she thought, oh my goodness, my toilet has overflowed.” Brenda said within a few minutes her friend realized the life-threatening situation she had slept through when she saw the water line on the side of her mattress, “She could have drowned.”

Brenda and her sister at Roy G. Eversole School

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

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

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.

Bluegrass Area Chapter Red Cross Volunteer Helps Residents in Floyd County

 

Volunteers from across the country and here in the Kentucky Region are on the ground in Eastern Kentucky, helping to provide a safe place to stay, food to eat, critical relief supplies and emotional support for those affected by flash flooding. David Silver, a volunteer from the Bluegrass Area Chapter in the Kentucky Region, is one of the hundreds of trained Red Cross disaster workers offering support.

David began volunteering with the Red Cross in 1960 as a training instructor. He taught courses on swimming, canoeing, sailing and first aid. Professionally, David was a firefighter for 23 years in Philadelphia. He and his wife then moved to Richmond, Kentucky where he was a teacher at Madison Central High School for 18 years.

“I started deploying to disasters about 8 or 9 years ago,” said David. After flooding impacted Eastern Kentucky, David worked as the shelter manager for the Floyd County Community Center, helping families. “In 2 days, we were able to help about 460 families get supplies.”

David expressed astonishment for the affection shown at the shelter, saying “The people here are taking care of each other. I just can’t believe it. It’s the community coming together.” 

In his years of deployment, he expressed that this one just felt different: “It’s all family here. And the family sticks together.”

A true Red Cross veteran, David has done Disaster Action Team (DAT) work as well. He has seen devastation up close, and he knows it’s his job to help.

“It’s what you do as a human being,” said David. He’s an empathetic person by nature, also serving on the bereavement committee at his church. “I tell people: Things happen. What happened to you was bad. But you are going to survive. You are going to make it.”

Our hearts go out to all families impacted by the eastern Kentucky floods. If you are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross, go to redcross.org/volunteer.

Breathitt County Resident Recounts Multiple Water Rescues During Flooding

Phyllis Bush (left) speaks with Red Crosser Misty Thomas

Phyllis and her husband were rescued twice by boats within a few hours from the Breathitt County area as flood waters rose and forced the couple from their home. Phyllis said her husband was sitting in the vehicle keeping an eye on water levels when he dozed off briefly and awoke to water levels unsafe to drive through.

Phyllis said they were standing in their home in knee deep water when they were rescued by boat. They were transported to an intersection where her son-in-law and daughter picked them up to have them stay at their home; however, a second boat rescue occurred a few hours later when flood waters rose quickly, forcing the entire family from their daughter’s home.

The boat rescue squads transported them to a bus headed to the Wolfe County High School Red Cross Shelter. Phyllis said, “…we checked in with Red Cross and from there we’ve just been cared for like babies, every little bit, The [Red Cross] come by and check on us.” The Red Cross provided Phyllis and her family shelter and food, as well as helped replace some healthcare items which were left behind when they had to evacuate.
 

If you were impacted by recent flash flooding and need Red Cross assistance, please call 1-800 RED CROSS.

Red Crossers Provide Assistance to Eastern Kentucky Residents Impacted by Flooding

Melody Kirkland was living in Jackson, KY when flood waters forced her to evacuate where she was staying. “It’s overwhelming and I’m dealing with quite a bit. They [Red Cross] feed us good and I’m doing good and holding it together the best I can.”

Melody was evacuated from the Jackson area and sheltered at the Red Cross Wolfe County High School but says she doesn’t have family in the area and is uncertain with what the future holds. We will be there with Melody, now and in the days and weeks ahead. Trained volunteers who specialize in casework will help people like Melody begin to chart their next steps towards recovery by connecting them to localized resources to bridge gaps that will assist in their recovery efforts.

Today, more than 350 trained Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground in Kentucky helping to provide a safe place to stay, food to eat and emotional support for those affected by this tragedy. Volunteers are also helping to replace prescription medications, eyeglasses or critical medical equipment that were left behind in the rush to get to safety. If you have been impacted by the recent floods, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Feature Friday: Ciara West

“I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m supposed to work for the [American] Red Cross.”

This belief is what drove Ciara West on an 8-year Red Cross journey that took her across the country and through multiple volunteer positions.

While her family is from the West Coast, Ciara has lived in Bowling Green, KY for the last 20 years. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting flea markets and breathing new life into the treasures she finds as art or by refurbishing them.

Her introduction to the Red Cross started with the Joplin, Missouri tornado in 2011.

“The severity of it pulled at my heart strings,” said Ciara. She and her sister couldn’t stop themselves from doing something. They drove to Joplin to just do laundry, but when they got there Ciara looked around and saw Red Cross volunteers helping in the aftermath.

When Ciara got home, she reached out to her local Red Cross chapter and signed up to deploy as a disaster volunteer to Joplin.

“I remember looking around at the shock and sadness,” said Ciara, “I watched people’s emotions and realized that the Red Cross does so much. Emotionally, physically, financially. We get to touch all of that. It is the most satisfying, close to heart feeling.”

Over the years, Ciara would go on to respond to disasters big and small as a disaster services volunteer. She responded to home fires in her community and deployed to disasters in other states, including deploying for 8 weeks to assist after Hurricane Isaac, and deploying to West Virginia after a chemical spill. “It’s so humbling. Every day I go home and I’m grateful. Every day I work with the Red Cross, it keeps me a humble, passionate human. It keeps me grounded that my life, belongings, I have it [now], but tomorrow it could be gone. But I could turn to Red Cross and they would help.

Ciara spent time as in an Americorps with the Red Cross, and then went on to take classes with FEMA. She spent time away from the Red Cross earning her Master’s Degree for Organizational leadership at Western Kentucky University. She went into manufacturing as a training coordinator and worked in workforce development for a time, but it didn’t spark her passion the way her Red Cross work had.

“My kids said ‘I have never been more happy than when you were doing your Red Cross thing’,” said Ciara. “I came back to the chapter and said “I’m willing to give you my life. I dove into it.”

One of the most eye-opening experiences for Ciara came in 2021 when she deployed to help respond to the 2021 December tornados that touched down in parts of Kentucky, including Bowling Green.

“When I got to [the tornado] disaster response, I was crying because of the amount of damage, the people it affected, the homes I lived in personally that were wiped off the map. This was my home town. It was almost too much to absorb. When it’s your home town, it was so personal and so shocking.”

Ciara was deployed for the entire tornado response. On the first night, she helped open a shelter in Bowling Green. As the response progressed and the needs of the community changed, she transitioned from sheltering and helping with feeding to disaster assessment and assisting with casework for impacted families. Her family and friends supported her through the deployment.

“I didn’t question it, I just found a way,” said Ciara. “Being on a disaster response from day one to the last day, it was the most eye opening of my life. It teaches you how it affects people from start to finish.”

One of the things that stood out to her the most about this deployment were the stories of resilience she encountered from her community.

“The people I got to meet that would sit across the desk and thank me when they have nothing to go home to—I was in awe of these people. I started asking people how they were so resilient.”

Ciara described one gentlemen who had lost his home and was trapped in the debris. “He had no home to go back to, but his neighbors dug him out and got his dog, and now he doesn’t know how he could ever move away from that neighborhood or those neighbors!

“I worked with another family in Warren County who lost their home to the tornado, a family of seven. We got them into a new home, and then their apartment complex burned down!” Ciara went on to share that the Red Cross was able to find the family another safe place to stay after the fire.

“It’s made me so much closer to all of the people in this town,” said Ciara. “Adversity and disaster makes a community rally. It gives me all the faith in humanity that one needs.”

When asked what keeps drawing her to working with the Red Cross, Ciara explained it was the power of helping people and the ability to use the skills she has learned to make a difference during some of the worst moments in people’s lives.

“Going from that frantic, emotionally charged moment […] when others are at their breaking point—it’s when I’m most calm. I use the preparation and assistance the Red Cross has provided, the training the Red Cross has provided to help and assist in the moment. To wrap the people going through disaster in my arms and help them in the moment.”

We are excited to share that, as of this blog post, Ciara has become the disaster program specialist for the Red Cross South Central Kentucky Chapter! Ciara—we are grateful to have dedicated, caring Red Crossers like you helping fulfill the Red Cross mission and providing comfort and hope to people in times of crisis. Thank you for being a volunteer and congratulations on your new role!

Learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross by visiting redcross.org/volunteer.

Volunteers - the backbone of the Red Cross

As residents begin their recovery from the devastation left by historic tornadoes, Red Cross volunteers are arriving from around the country to help. Some volunteers from the Jennings Creek Elementary shelter shared their reasons for deploying. 

Pictured from left to right: Volunteers Jeff Roediger, Vonetta Woods,
Deane Oliva, Matt Strafford and Carrie Odegaard

Jeff Roediger from Charleston, SC, in Disaster Mental Health, is on his fourteenth deployment. He says he keeps deploying because there aren't as many volunteers who specialize in mental health services as there are in other volunteer positions, "so, when something like this comes up, you know, out the door I go.”

Vonetta Woods, originally from Benton Harbor, MI, now lives in Bowling Green. She says she knows people affected by the tornado. She came to help because, “It hit so close to home, and I'm just blessed, and it didn't touch us and I wanted to help out the others.”

Deane Oliva, from Bowling Green, KY, serves in Disaster Mental Health. Deane is the regional lead for the Disaster Spiritual Care Team in Kentucky and is from Bowling Green. Disaster Spiritual Care Team members provide spiritual care support to individuals and families who have been impacted by a disaster.

Matt Strafford is from Erlanger KY. The 20-year-old says he came to help because “I just wanted to help people any way I can, and I just enjoy intense situations and I feel that's where I'm called to be the most.” He encourages others to volunteer, saying, “[W]e need more young people, more people like me, with the energy and the strength to be able to help others.”

Carrie Odegaard from Shelly, MN, has deployed more than twenty times. In her experience, she says, “Every disaster response is different, and all the people we help are totally different on each disaster that we go to. But the main thing that we try to keep the same is how we take care of people.”

You can help people affected by disasters like tornadoes and countless other crises. Sign up to become a Red Cross volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer.

Kentucky Volunteer Assists with California Wildfire Response

Our Red Cross volunteers are assisting around the country, providing comfort and hope to residents impacted by disasters. Kentucky Region volunteer Tanya (third from the right), is assisting with wildfire response efforts in California in a Red Cross shelter.

“We have an […] evacuee that spent 2 hours on a bus working his way around the California Wildfire line to get to our shelter,” said Tanya. “He was evacuated in the middle of the day while fighting off the fire on his own home with a garden hose. Unfortunately, due to the intensity and speed of the fire, his home was consumed and is a total loss, including his vehicle. His words to me upon arriving at the shelter: 'Thank you, I at least have a place to sleep tonight and food to eat because of you guys. The Red Cross is amazing.'"

We need more volunteers like Tanya. Interested in supporting disaster relief? Training sessions to learn the basic skills to become a disaster responder in sheltering or health services are available August 30-31, September 8-9 and September 11! To register or learn more, contact Stacy Taylor-Bernard at stacy.taylorbernard2@redcross.org or (502) 612-9202.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Sewell

Mike Sewell is no stranger to the American Red Cross or to disaster services. Since he began volunteering with the Louisville Area Chapter in 2009, Mike has taken on a variety of roles. He has provided disaster and home fire safety education as a Community Preparedness member, responded to home fires and other local disasters as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member, taught other volunteers as a disaster services instructor and has assisted in running shelters during disaster responses.

Mike (left) receiving a Volunteer of the Year award
from Steve Cunanan, Kentucky Region CEO

Mike has volunteered for more than 12,400 hours on disaster responses alone. Just a few of his deployments include assisting with flood relief efforts in Illinois in 2013 and participating in the 2017 Eclipse Readiness exercise, as well as assisting locally in Kentucky and southern Indiana with flooding, tornados and winter storms.

He also deployed for over 6 months to Louisiana in 2020 and 2021 to assist with recovery efforts after hurricanes Laura and Maria, which exceeded the two weeks of time volunteers typically commit when they deploy to a disaster. Mike puts those who need help and the Red Cross mission, above all else. He is a true representation of delivering the Red Cross mission, prioritizing the urgent needs of people impacted by disasters, and alleviating human suffering.

Interested in becoming a part of our Disaster Action Team? Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more.

Red Cross Provides Support to Residents Impacted by Flooding

“We stayed until it started coming through the floors.” 

It was early March, and Rebecca and her family were in their home in Estill County, KY when the rain started. What first seemed to be an unusually heavy rainstorm turned into something more worrisome as time went on and the rain showed no signs of slowing or stopping. It became a cause for alarm when Rebecca and her family noticed water starting to rise in the low area behind their home that evening. As the night went on and they saw the water was inching closer with no signs of stopping, they made the difficult decision to leave. 

Volunteers Sarah and Sadiq speak with Rebecca (right) while
assessing flood damage in her neighborhood

“When we saw that it was going to come in, we started grabbing medicine, dry clothes and shoes and helped our grandmother evacuate,” said Rebecca. 

Estill County was just one of several Kentucky counties impacted by flooding in early March. The floodwaters met or broke local historical records and reached areas that had not seen such severe flooding in decades, if at all. Early estimated numbers show over 900 homes across the state have been damaged or destroyed by flooding. 

“Nothing like this has ever happened here before,” said Rebecca. When Rebecca and her family were able to go back to their home, they discovered water had come up through their floor and had gotten into the insulation in their walls. “Mold is a concern. We might have to tear the subfloor out to make sure things get dry.” 

When Red Cross volunteers arrived to assess the flood damage in the area, Rebecca and her family were working on tearing out the insulation in their home. Many of their possessions were on their porch drying in the sun, but they had lost their sheets and blankets and will have to replace their carpeting and air conditioning unit. They were grateful to see the Red Cross in their neighborhood. 

 “We had heard of the Red Cross, but we had never had to use them before,” said Rebecca. “We’re glad to see them today.” Our volunteers were able to provide Rebecca and her family with information about nearby shelters and other resources. 

Since March 1, the Red Cross has been working with local emergency management, assisting individuals and families impacted by recent floods, and providing safe shelter, food and other support to people in need across the state. The Red Cross has also been working with the Southern Baptist Kitchen to provide meals to shelter residents and individuals and families of Breathitt and surrounding counties, whose homes have been impacted by the floods. To date, the Red Cross has provided more than 5,000 stays in emergency lodging and served nearly 52,000 meals and snacks. 

 If you have been impacted by flooding, please call 1-800 RED CROSS.

Kentucky Region Welcomes New Senior Disaster Program Manager

The Kentucky Region Red Cross is excited to welcome Zach Stokes to our team! Zach joins us from the Tennessee Region and will become our new Senior Disaster Program Manager serving Kentucky, Southern Indiana and Southern Illinois.  

Zach Stokes is from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He graduated from Norwich University in Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts in Studies in War and Peace and a Master of Arts in Military History. While finishing a Master of Science in Justice Studies in 2016, he started volunteering with the Central Southwest Chapter of the Oklahoma Red Cross and was soon deployed to Louisiana for the Baton Rouge Floods, then to western Oklahoma for a tornado. He joined AmeriCorps, a network of national service programs that work to improve lives and foster civic engagement, in 2017, and served with the West Michigan Chapter of the Michigan Region Red Cross. There he supported chapter activities and responses, as well as helped plan and coordinate the Home Fire Campaign and Sound the Alarm.  

In 2018, Zach became the Disaster Program Specialist for the Nashville Area Chapter of the Tennessee Region Red Cross.  He helped increase both the Disaster Action Team and Preparedness Education programs. He participated in several major disaster responses, including 90- and 40-unit apartment fires, flash flooding, and windstorms. During the 2020 Middle Tennessee Tornado response, he led Community Engagement and Partnerships, and increased partnerships with the NAACP, Islamic Center of Nashville, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Baptist Convention, African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International.  

Outside of work, Zach loves to watch football, read military history books, try new restaurants and food, kayaking, and hanging out with his 9-month puppy, Trey. He looks forward to exploring Kentucky and meeting the staff and volunteers of the Kentucky Region.