Team Red Cross: Update!

Good afternoon!
I wanted to give a very brief update for you, as well as share photos from our relief efforts.

First, you may be aware that your local Red Cross responded to a 64-unit senior apartment complex fire in Xenia this past Sunday (Nov. 4). Throughout this week, we have provided food, shelter and comfort to about 40 of the residents. Until all of these people find alternative housing, the Red Cross will continue to be there! We will also help them during their recovery process. Below is a photo of 3 of our volunteers at this shelter.



Next, we heard from one of our volunteers responding to Superstorm Sandy. Below is her report, followed by more photos I wanted to share.

Whether it’s a hurricane on the east coast, wind storms in Dayton, or an apartment fire in Xenia, the Red Cross is the only organization with the capacity to immediately respond and assist those in need. Thank you for your continued support, enabling us to help!

A Message from Volunteer Lisa Herzog: Spent the last couple of days getting organized, stocking warehouses and delivering supplies. They have us in a hotel that now has power.

On our way on a “seek and search” mission. We are taking supplies in a large Ryder truck with a Red Cross on it. Getting lots of hollers thumbs-up and honks as we go by. We are in Hoboken, NJ, the water is down, but the streets are lined with garbage and debris. Looking for a place to pull over. The streets are very narrow given the debris. (Need to let an ambulance pass us.) We have been told about various neighborhoods that have not been served. We are bringing food and water to them. We stop and people line up for distribution. We went to a neighborhood yesterday that not even the police and fire departments had made it to. Red Cross volunteers were the first to get there.

I have been to a lot of disasters. This is one of the worst, particularly given its scale. As always, it takes time to get organized and get out serving the people. This is what I love to do. We get better organized by the day. Everyone’s spirits are good and improving as we see and serve more people. That’s why we’re here.

Patty Hiatt-Peer

Major Gifts Officer
Cincinnati / Dayton Region
(937) 221-7550
patricia.hiatt-peer@redcross.org