Red Cross assistance update in Americus

If anyone needs Red Cross assistance, client casework is being done at the Middle Flint Chapter of the American Red Cross from 9 a.m.-6p.m. each day.  The Chapter is located at 1509 Crawford in Americus. 

For information call:

• 229-938-1171
• 229-938-9175

Meal Service in Americus

 

The American Red Cross completes serving meals after dinner on Tuesday,  March 13, in Americus.  Snacks and drinks will continue to be delivered to neighborhoods in Americus on Thursday, March 15 until Thursday, March 22.

Tables Turn for Americus man

An Americus, GA man who steps in to help Red Cross efforts during local disasters finds himself on the receiving end.  “I’m not used to asking for help, but this time I need help,” Doug La Fond said.  After the tornado ripped through his neighborhood he discovered damage and found himself at the Red Cross service center.

La Fond has been feeding victims of area disasters for 10 years through a partnership with the organization.  On a moment’s notice he’ll serve dozens of meals to clients and emergency workers whenever he gets a call from the Middle-Flint Chapter in Americus.  “To see strangers shake your hand and say thank you.  It really gives you goose bumps, “ La Fond describes the appreciation he feels when helping.  He’s able to do it out of the Meals on Wheels kitchen in town.  He’s in charge of delivering meals to 3,300 people a day across half of Georgia.  La Fond put the kitchen to use after Hurricane Katrina, too, when he helped the Red Cross provide meals for a couple of weeks after the county’s worst natural disaster. 

La Fond never thought he’d be on the receiving end of Red Cross services, and it’s meant a lot to him.  In addition to emergency assistance, the Red Cross Emergency Response vehicles and volunteers deliver meals and snacks in his neighborhood every day.  “It makes you feel good knowing they are going to be there,” La Fond said and has been told by neighbors they feel the same way.  

Warm food, clean up equipment or other immediate needs and emotional support are ways Red Cross volunteers help their neighbors begin their road to recovery.

The best way you can help is by making a financial donation to the National Disaster Relief Fund.  You can do that by logging on to www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.     

Information Update 3-9-07

N O T I C E

AFTER FRIDAY, MARCH 9th, AT 2:00 P.M. NO MEALS WILL BE SERVED FROM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ON LEE STREET.

Beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9th, Red Cross will be serving meals at theBel-Air Plaza located between Lamar and Forsyth at Prince Street.

Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served daily between 8:30 and 6:30.  This will continue as needed.  THIS IS FOR TAKE OUT ONLY.

Individual and family assistance will continue at First Baptist Church on Lee St. but will be closed on Sunday, March 11 to resume on Monday, March 12 at 9 a.m.

Red Cross Volunteer Inspires Many

Dedicated volunteer Zan Peavy from Tallahassee, FL. (Photo courtesy of www.cacarc.org ) 

 

By Tracey Kiest, Public Affairs Volunteer, American Red Cross
 

AMERICUS, Ga-  March 8, 2007 “People have helped me my entire life.  I’m tired of that.  I want to help people,” insists Zan Peavy.  She suffered a spinal cord injury during birth and is confined to a wheelchair, but that’s not stopping her from helping people impacted by the Georgia tornadoes.  The twenty-five year old gets great satisfaction by volunteering for the American Red Cross. The Tallahassee native came to Georgia as a family services volunteer.  She sits down with Red Cross clients and listens to their stories.  After that, she determines their immediate emergency needs.  She then provides emergency assistance such as clothing, food and other necessities so they can begin their road to recovery.  Data entry is also a part of her job, which has become her passion.  “I’ve fallen in love with something I can do well and get paid with gratitude,” Peavy said. 

She has worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher and believes her emergency response background compliments the Red Cross disaster response.  “I love working with people no matter the situation,” Peavy commented. Disasters can be stressful, but Peavy keeps a level head and calm disposition.  She says it’s fulfilling to see a client whose life has been turned upside down begin to see things will get better.  The Red Cross helps make that happen.

This tornado response is Peavy’s first assignment to a widespread disaster. “I was really excited when I got the call,” Peavy shared.  All the way to Georgia her roommate, a veteran Red Cross volunteer, gave her pointers. It’s only been a few days and Peavy already knows responding to help people affected by disasters are a part of her future.  In fact she plans to respond whenever it’s possible.  She even has her sights set on working for the American Red Cross national headquarters one day.

 

On top of helping people when they need it most, the Red Cross has meant personal growth for Peavy.  She admits she’s come out of her shell and reaches out to more people since becoming a volunteer in August of 2005.

Like thousands of other people, Peavy felt compelled to help people after Hurricane Katrina.  A couple of days after the storm hit, she found herself amidst the Red Cross mission, providing disaster relief.  In Tallahassee Peavy’s role was helping evacuees with disabilities.  She remembers seeing people lined up outside of the service center for two to three weeks.  Even when they sent her home to get some rest, she felt like she needed to be there helping.Peavy doesn’t consider her inability to walk a disability.  Nothing is going to stop this determined woman from being a big part of an organization that’s been helping people for more than a century.  She lives the spirit of the Red Cross. If anything’s stopping you from volunteering, let Zan Peavy be your inspiration.

Shelters now closed in Georgia

All American Red Cross shelters in Georgia are now closed.

Those inquiring about Red Cross assistance should call 1-866-GET-INFO.

One Good Turn Deserves Another

Yinyue Yin and Xianolei Zheng heard about the Red Cross on television and decided to volunteer with the relief effort because of the warm way they were treated when they arrived from Shanghai, China a year and a half ago.

(Photo by Gene Dailey, American Red Cross)

Partnership

For many years, the American Red Cross and the Southern Baptists have partnered in disasters — they cook the meals, and we get them out the door. The Southern Baptists set up their kitchen in the storage garage belonging to the First Baptist Church in Americus.

(Photo by Gene Dailey, American Red Cross)

Loading the meals

Hot food is prepared by the Southern Baptists and packed in insulated containers called “cambros”.  These are then loaded onto Red Cross vehicles specially equipped for food distribution in the affected communities.

(Photo by Gene Dailey, American Red Cross)

Cleanup Aid

(Photo by Gene Dailey, American Red Cross)