Volunteers in Action - Tennessee Volunteers Assist with Texas Disaster Relief Efforts

Volunteers In Action!
by Tennessee Regional Executive, Joel R. Sullivan

This spring saw seemingly endless flooding and tornadoes in the Midwest, impacting thousands of residents all over the Lone Star State of Texas and Oklahoma.  Since early May, 1,800 Red Cross workers have opened 37 shelters, served over 40,000 meals and snacks and handed out over 34,000 relief items and cleaning supplies in Texas. In addition, 40 emergency response vehicles are distributing food and relief items in the communities and additional volunteers and vehicles are on alert if needed.

It is exciting to see the Volunteers of Tennessee responding to help other states in their disaster relief.  We have had 41 volunteers from all eight Chapters in Tennessee on the ground in disaster stricken areas. Some of those volunteers are still in Texas serving as clean-up and recovery is still in full swing.  These volunteers are a testament to the hard work everyone has put in to ensure we have a volunteer workforce prepared, trained and ready to go in times of disaster- not only in our state, but across the nation.

Kudos to our Tennessee Region volunteers who deployed to Texas:

Northeast Tennessee Responders
Lois McCalpin
Kate Tron
JR Leonard
Cheri Johnson
Stewart Chapman
Danny Surgenor
Brenda Mullins

East Tennessee Responders
Don Barker
Jennifer Bunch
Ken Curry
Alan Sheets
Shirley Tipton
Sandra Mulsand
Rick Tracy
Allison Tracy
Trent Winston
Peter Keyes
Gaylene Schaffer
Ami Anderson

Southeast Tennessee Responders
Thomas Myers
Larry Miner

Heart of Tennessee Responders
Mary Ann Caiazza
John Ruffing

Nashville Area Responders
Tom King
Rene King
Bob Stafford
Susan Scott
Chris Schuler
Virginia McKenzie
Mary ‘Cathy’ Conners
Marty Pearson
Russell Yap

Tennessee River Responders
Jack Hunter
Karen Sinclair

Mid-West Tennessee Responders
Valerie Bates
Dennis Lee
Cora Killebrew

Mid-South Responders
Mike Young
Walt Bodner
Bob Wallace
Tyler Friend

I am very thankful for our volunteers and their dedication to serving others during disasters.  You too can help those affected by disasters like floods, tornadoes and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.