Volunteer Responds to Disaster

This is the title of a newspaper article in yesterday’s High Point Enterprise. The article covered the disaster response of devastation caused by the Alabama tornado this past Thursday. Red Cross volunteer Harrison Faust, who had just returned from a three week disaster assignment in Florida on Wednesday night, shipped out again Friday morning. This is not an uncommon occurrence at the High Point – Thomasville Chapter. Disasters happen locally or nationally and volunteers respond. During a busy weather season, its not uncommon to hear about five or more being out at the same time – all in different locations.


This has not always been the case. In 1992, when Mike was deployed to Louisiana for Hurricane Andrew he knew it was a significant event in his life, but I don’t think he counted on being a local celebrity. His send off at the airport included TV camera’s and reporters who followed him right up to the boarding gate. That was back in the olden days when anyone could walk right up to the gate. Once Mike arrived in Louisiana he had to call a reporter at the High Point Enterprise every couple of days and give an update on what he was doing. He also called in to WMFR Radio to talk about his experience. On his next assignment in 1993, he and fellow volunteer Marion Streater, were accompanied by Enterpriser reporter Tommye Morrison. It was not so common back then for the average person to leave their job and home for three weeks and go to work in a harsh, stressful environment.

Reflecting back on the old news stories, I think they were an important factor in the growth of the chapter’s volunteer base. The attention given to Mike Kane and fellow volunteer Leon Wessel conveyed the need for others to respond – and they did. Of course it started way before Mike or I came to the Red Cross. I do not mean to take anything away from those that served our community through disaster services. I just don’t have that history to relate to. However, I did see the significant changes that took place in the early 1990’s. Mike Kane, Leon Wessel, Marion Streater, were only a few of the volunteers that gave their time and talents to serve others. Also, Dottie Cress, Lori Copelan, Barbara Osgood and Debbie Dalton are all staff leaders that developed what is now a vital emergency response team.