Mid-South Chapter Disaster Volunteer Experiences Red Cross Mission for Service Locally and Nationwide

Gail during the May 2020 tornado response in Lake County, Tennessee

By Briana Phillips, Red Cross volunteer

For some, volunteering comes from a calling. Volunteer Lawanda “Gail” Caton says it was the destruction of natural disasters and the impact it has on people has always stuck with her. “I remember when I was living in Mississippi and Hurricane Andrew tore through the Gulf coast and everything was destroyed,” Caton recalled. “I knew back then that I wanted to do something to help others in the face of disaster.”    

Once she retired, she joined the Red Cross. She currently serves with the Disaster Action Team in the Memphis area and has volunteered at the sites of hurricanes, tornadoes and fires for the last few years. Her work as a volunteer has deployed her to different states to help Red Cross relief efforts, including Louisiana and Wisconsin.  

  

In New Orleans, after the deadly Hurricane Laura left a path of destruction, Caton had a remarkable encounter with an elderly gentleman. “He tearfully told me that he had no family or friends to turn to and had absolutely nothing left to live for,” she said. “All I could do was tell him that he had a purpose and that a Red Cross counselor could help him make some next steps.”  

  

She guided him to a counselor and continued assisting at the shelter without thinking she would see him again. When the man returned to her a while later to thank her, she said his transformation was shocking. “When he came to thank me, I couldn’t believe that I was seeing the same man,” Caton said. “The tears were gone, and he was actually smiling!” She could see the hope returning to the man’s life. That experience reassured Caton that she was making a valuable difference through the Red Cross.  

  

While assisting with the Afghan Refugee Camp in Wisconsin, another unforgettable experience happened to her. She was apprehensive about serving since there was a language barrier, but she soon realized that wasn’t going to be an issue.  

  

One day, an Afghan woman approached her at the shelter and immediately began sharing her story. Even though Caton had no idea what the woman was saying, she could tell from her expression that the woman needed support. “All I could do was listen and place my hand on her shoulder while she poured her heart out,” she remembered. The simple act of human compassion was enough to cross the language barrier and she knew the woman felt reassurance.  

  

Serving with the Red Cross has been a reward for her through these experiences. “My time volunteering has shown me that we are all the same, no matter our differences,” she said. “Everyone has a heart and a purpose.” Caton hopes that she can continue volunteering with the Disaster Action Team for as long as she is able.  

  

If you are interested in serving with the Disaster Action Team in your area or would like to volunteer in another capacity with Red Cross, go to RedCross.org/Volunteer.  

Gail during the Samburg, Tennessee tornado response in Dec. 2021