This
is Tramone Hester’s first time acting as a volunteer shelter manager for the
American Red Cross, and he’s doing a tremendous job. He serves at the tender age of 18-years-old.
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Tramone Hester manages his first shelter with
a smile. Photo by: Kate Walters
|
His
mentor, veteran volunteer Richard Schaffer, saw his leadership potential and put
him in charge of an entire shelter which has housed up to 250 people overnight
since the beginning of the Hurricane Florence evacuations. This local shelter
is open and responding to the needs of displaced families in Dillon, South
Carolina. Tramone has been hooked on volunteering for the Red Cross ever since
he stepped up last year to help organize a blood drive.
Find out about hosting a Blood Drive challenge:
When
Tramone joined in a friendly rivalry with students from his high school and the
neighboring school in the same county, it’s wasn’t about football, it was about
blood donations.
The
Dillon Wildcats challenged the Lake View Wild Gators and the winner would be
the team that donates more pints of blood. The prize? The opportunity to win a scholarship, and a meaningful
leadership experience.
“We
did it to hype the community up so that we could get more blood donations. We
made it like a race!” he said.
After
the resounding success of the competition, he became a blood donor ambassador. He
is also active on his local Disaster Action Team (DAT). And now he has hands-on
training as a shelter manager.
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| Richard shares sheltering advice with Tramone. Photo by: Kate Walters |
As
he humbly tells his story, his youthful energy shines. He especially loves
working with the children. He gives them coloring books, paper and crayons.
“They’re
making a lot of friends. They keep us up at night," he mentions.
It’s
is like a family here. One little girl is loving her time at the shelter
because the Red Cross provided a stuffed Mickey Mouse for her to play with. Gabby, age 8, drew him a very
special picture saying, “This is a picture of the American Red Cross giving
people love.” (***
WARNING: heart melting image ahead.)
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| Gabby, Age 8. |
Tramone
strikes a nostalgic tone when he speaks of his new leadership role. He is wise
beyond his years. He thrives on helping foster a spirit of community in the
shelter. He facilitates a group meeting every day where clients work to
establish positive relationships and promote unity. He is proud to say that he
knows the name of almost every person in the shelter.
“We’ve
been here so long that we’ve become family.” He stays keenly aware of special
needs in the shelter. He makes sure that those with functional and access needs
are taken care of.
He
is glad to be developing lasting relationships. Members of the South Carolina
Army National Guard were staying at the shelter while taking part in search and
rescue efforts. When it was time for them to move on, they all exchanged phone
numbers.
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| Mickey sits next to a Red Cross comfort kit, normally given to children in time of disaster. Photo by: Rebecca Torriani |
“We
were actually sad when it came time for them to go,” Tramone said. “We have
shared a very intense experience.”
Tramone
sees a future for himself with the Red Cross.
“I’m
always going to be here. I’m not going anywhere.”
For
more information about organizing a blood drive and scholarship opportunities
through the Red Cross please refer to www.redcrossblood.org/hosting-a-blood-drive
As the water rise in the wake of Hurricane Florence, rest assured the
American Red Cross is providing shelter, food, hydration and comfort.
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