Answering the Call to Help Others in Need

By Cindy Huge, American Red Cross, Public Affairs Volunteer

Two years ago, an email sent to the students at Southern Adventist University put into action a series of life changing experiences for Courtney Calvert.

Calvert responded to that email offering any student interested the opportunity to be trained in sheltering by the American Red Cross. This seemed like a perfect way to help her community during a disaster. Little did she know that this choice would lead to her pursuing a Master’s Degree in Emergency Management.

Calvert’s first call to respond was to help in the recovery phase following a disaster in Nashville. She eagerly agreed, and thus began Calvert’s journey as a volunteer into the American Red Cross. She would continue to volunteer to assist in many disasters.

When the Red Cross was looking for someone to take the task as a Sheltering Lead following a massive apartment fire, they didn’t have to look to far-Courtney Calvert was willing and able to help. She was in her final few months of completing her Master’s Degree and felt the experience would prepare her well to understand the workings of Emergency Management. 

As the Sheltering Lead, Calvert’s task was to coordinate housing, drawing from an inventory list of available rooms from local hotels, for approximately 150 clients. She was also responsible for arranging and coordinating the procurement of 3 meals a day for each of the clients and arranging their delivery to the hotels. In addition to all this, she also was also arranging for nursing care for those who lost medications, arranging counselors to be available to speak with and support those affected, and offering the services of the spiritual care teams to those in need. 

Treating clients like family members is what makes volunteers, like Courtney Calvert, so very valuable. Her willingness to set aside any of her own daily tasks and step forward to help others is quite evident in the passion she displays in every task she is asked to do. If this means working to late in the day, Calvert is happy to do so.

“A listening ear is very important as a volunteer. Many times, the clients just need someone to help them navigate through this difficult time. People fled their homes with nothing, not even their medications, and if I can connect them with a Red Cross nurse to replace their needed medications, then I’m honored to be doing that. This is what I am here for, to help people in their time of need.” said Calvert.

The American Red Cross seeks volunteers who are willing to help their community in times of disaster. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteer and take that first step to help your neighbors.