Letter from Southeast Tennessee Executive Director, Julia Wright - November 2017

So many lives have been effected by the tragedy and 2017 has proven to be one of the most devastating years for disasters in over a decade. People have experienced the loss of homes, belongings, pets, jobs and saddest of all, the lives of those close to them.

November is a time of reflection. Not one of us is immune from disaster, no matter where we live. This special time of the year is literally a time of thanks for we know there will always be someone there for us in some way to bring us through whatever event of distress that might befall us.

This is a time to find our capacity for giving and turn compassion into action, regardless of when or where. It is poignantly heart-filling to see all people come together for each other, even when many who are assisting others are experiencing the effects of the same catastrophe.

This is the definition of thanksgiving. It is the swell of humanity at it's very finest. We are so thankful to know and to have met those who shine in the darkest hour in this past year. We are especially thankful for the over 270 Red Cross volunteers in southeast Tennessee who have sacrificed so much time and time again.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

--Julia