Bend Red Cross volunteer tells of tearful Louisiana encounter

The American Red Cross remains on the ground in Louisiana, with volunteers helping the thousands of people who have lost everything they own in the devastating flooding.

A total of 27 responders from Oregon and Southwest Washington are assisting relief efforts by delivering food, water and relief supplies such as cleaning items, and providing overnight stays in 18 Red Cross shelters.

To date, the Red Cross has received approximately $7.8 million in donations and pledges designated to support Louisiana — but recovery costs are expected to exceed $30 million.

“The devastating flooding in Louisiana has changed tens of thousands of people’s lives forever,” said Amy Shlossman, CEO of the Red Cross Cascades Region. “The people of Louisiana truly need our help and with the generosity of our donors, the Red Cross will continue to provide relief and long-term recovery assistance to a devastated region.”

Red Cross volunteers are also providing emotional support to help people cope. Health services volunteers are monitoring the health needs of people in shelters and replacing things like lost wheelchairs, eyeglasses and medications. Others are going out into neighborhoods to personally deliver supplies to affected communities.

Theresa Grimes, a volunteer from Bend, has been on the ground for two days. She is serving meals to people in some of the neighborhoods hit hardest by flooding.

“A woman came up to me and asked me where I was from. I told her, ‘I’m from Bend, Oregon,’ and she started to cry,” Grimes recalled. “She said, ‘You came all this way to help us? I can’t believe it!'”

“She was so moved she couldn’t stop crying. It told her, ‘It’s my honor to be here to help you, and I wouldn’t miss it,” Grimes said.

It’s been more than a week since the floodwaters destroyed and damaged thousands of homes and together with local, state and national partners, the Red Cross has:
* Served more than 260,000 meals and snacks
* Distributed more than 60,000 relief items
* Provided more than 40,000 overnight stays in emergency shelters – Sunday night, 3,000 people were still seeking refuge in 18 Red Cross and community shelters
* Handled more than 17,000 calls from people seeking information and help

HOW TO HELP
Help people affected by the Louisiana Floods by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS RESPONSES
Italy — Earthquake
Today , August 24 , a 6.2 magnitude earthquake took place southeast of Norcia, Italy at 3:30 a.m. local time. An hour later a 5.5 magnitude aftershock hit the same region. Initial reports show severe damage in other towns such as Amatrice and Accumoli. Initial reports indicate at least 38 people killed with many others missing.

The Italian Red Cross and the Italian Civil Defense are coordinating search and rescue activities and focused on finding survivors. Twenty ambulances have been sent to the area by the Italian Red Cross. Red Cross volunteers are in the affected communities providing aid and psychological first aid for survivors. Mobile kitchens are also being set up in the area for people who have been forced to leave their homes. The Red Cross is providing earthquake information and advice in the area as aftershocks continue to rock the region. At this time, preliminary efforts are focused on search and rescue and providing aid to affected communities near the epicenter. Meanwhile the American Red Cross continues to monitor the response in close coordination with our global Red Cross partners.