Your Neighbors May Need You…
Summer is here once again heralding the onset of numerous natural disasters: floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes to mention a few. The media reminds us daily to “be prepared”. And while preparedness may be the furthest thing from our minds, there are those who work hard everyday to stand in the gap for us should disaster strike. I’m talking about the volunteers that work in every state unselfishly to lend a hand when we face the worst. My sister-in-law has made a career of being there for others by working with the Red Cross. Take a minute to read her story and then think about what you can do, what you can contribute… how you can make a difference by supporting those who work tirelessly to help you and your neighbors when disaster strikes.
Terry Anderson, American Red Cross
Hi, I am Terry and I have been with the St. Croix Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross for 14 years. I work out of our Branch office in Polk County, Wisconsin. I have been married for 33 years and have 2 children and am now the grandmother of 3 beautiful granddaughters.
I have had many jobs but none have been as fulfilling as working with the American Red Cross. To be able to go out into our local communities and help people who have been affected by a fire, flood or tornado will give me warm fuzzies. I am able to make sure that these families will have a warm place to lay their head, to know where their next meal is coming from, and that their children will have clothing to wear. I would like to share a thank you note I received from a family I personally helped recover from a fire Christmas of 2007.
“ Dear American Red Cross, I want to say thank you so very much for all that you do for people in their time of need. I always knew the American Red Cross was for people who need help, but I had no idea how really wonderful & important this program was until I needed to call upon it in my own time of need last year after my home had a fire. American Red Cross gave me and my son everything we needed to get back on our feet again with shelter, clothing vouchers, references to other help I would need, and a feeling that I was not alone in that scary situation. This year things are back to normal and my son and I get to have Christmas in our home. Than you and God Bless. PS I want to donate to the American Red Cross in a small way, please mail me the opportunity to donate each year if possible. Love, Angie ”
Let’s back up a bit, if you are not familiar with what your local Red Cross does let me fill you in… Your local Red Cross is mandated by Congress to give aid to all people affected by natural disasters, such as fires, floods, tornadoes. We recruit volunteers to go out into their communities, they can choose to help families on a local level or national level. We are the main line of communication with your loved ones in the military and their families. We have many other opportunities to choose from whether that be Blood Services, Youth, International Law, Health and Safety, or fundraising. Volunteerism is the back-bone of the American Red Cross. We will provide you with the necessary training in the field you wish to volunteer in, all you need to do is make the call. Please call your local Red Cross office and volunteery today. It is an experience you will never forget!! To contact your local Red Cross you can call 813-348-4820 or go online www.redcrosstbc.org.
Terry Anderson
Polk County Program Coordinator
American Red Cross
St. Croix Valley Chapter
PO Box 322
215 Main Street Suite 101
Balsam Lake, WI 54810
Ph. 715-485-3025
Fax: 715-485-3028
www.scvarc.org
Click here to Donate online to the St. Croix Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross
Posted by:Linda Hawkinson
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
“Love your neighbor as yourself”… that’s the commandment. It still works.
@Mary – Thank you Mary, I hope you are a volunteer somewhere. I keep very busy between choir directing at church and working for the Red Cross. Life is good when you are working with others. That is why I call them warm fuzzies when I help someone. I encourage all to find a way to work within their communities!!
So true, so true!!!!
I truly have to say thank you to people like you Terry who are selfless and effortfull when it comes to helping others. This nation was shaped on this premise of coming together with common values and helping each other and somewhere we lost it all. I am glad to see that we are moving in this direction once again. I know president Obama made a call to all of us to do this but I would like to say thanks to those like you who have been doing it all along. You are true blessings to the rest of us. Thank you .