In His Spare Time

In between hurricanes and floods, Mike kept busy as a local Red Cross volunteer. The High Point – Thomasville Chapter was (and still is) Mike’s home chapter. This chapter serves the communities of High Point, Thomasville, Archdale, Trinity and Jamestown, North Carolina. The population is roughly 130,340 (2005 census data from city-data.com). Mike was a member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT). Members of this team were responsible for responding to house fires where emergency assistance was provided to the fire victims. DAT members also respond when canteens are needed to feed fire fighters at the scene of large fires or police officers involved in hostage situations. Canteens provide beverages, snacks and meals, if needed, when an emergency response lasts an extended period of time. The Red Cross usually obtains donations from grocery stores and restaurants to help supply the canteen. (Click on any of the pictures to see a larger view).

Mike remembers one particular factory fire in Thomasville that started during the early evening and continued into the next day. Around 3a.m. the volunteers realized that they would need to provide breakfast for the fire fighters. It is not always easy getting someone on the phone at such an early hour. As it turned out, the Sunrise Grill was already preparing biscuits for their morning customers. They were willing to help as long as someone could help fry up the sausage. Mike, Leon Wessel and one other volunteer were able to put together the sausage biscuits in time to feed the tired, hungry firefighters.