Story by: Heather Kanipe and Walt Palmer, American Red Cross Volunteers
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| A.C. Tollison recreation Center Photo by: Walt Palmer |
Living
in a shelter can be stressful for everyone. Nothing is familiar and normal
schedules are interrupted. Red Cross volunteers work hard to provide a safe and
comfortable environment for all shelter residents but it takes partnerships with
area businesses, shelter residents and other outside agencies.
“They
were absolutely awesome,” said Sue Jones, Red Cross shelter manager at the A.C.
Tollison Recreation Center in Marion.
Sue
was referring to the SC Guardsmen whom had just finished their deployment at
the shelter.
“They
worked 24/7 for several weeks patrolling the building for us, providing
security services and even helped close down our previous shelter in record
time. They took the lead on several matters so I could focus on other tasks. We
couldn’t have done any of this without their help,” said Jones.
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| Sue Jones, Red Cross Shelter Manager Photo by: Walt Palmer |
The
Marion shelter works like clockwork. Sue’s
leadership and organizational skills are a big reason for that. But Sue is
quick to point out she had many partner organizations helping to make her job
easier. National Army Guardsmen are now at the shelter to fill roles vacated by
the SC Guardsmen. Their reassuring presence is felt the moment you walked
through the door.
A
passerby then announced Tracie Woodberry was the unofficial leader of the
shelter; so, we introduced ourselves and were drawn into his warm smile.
“He’s
a charmer,” Maryellen Taylor, a volunteer warned us as she embraced Tracie.
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| Shelter resident Tracie Woodberry with Red Cross volunteer Jeff Heathcoat Photo by: Heather Kanipe |
He
was enjoying his greeter role and delighted in making people feel comfortable.
Tracie said, people used to avoid him because of his disability but he would
pull them in and talk about it to put them at ease.
“It’s
all about helping each other because that’s what life is all about,” said Tracie.
“I don’t have to get anything for myself. Someone is always nearby asking if I
need anything. At this rate, I may never leave,” he joked.
Tracie’s
neighborhood is surrounded by the Pee Dee River and he doesn’t know the status
of his home but it isn’t bothering him today. He was much more concerned with
helping everyone else feel at home in his shelter.
Community
partners of the Red Cross continue to support residents inside the shelter.
From the Salvation Army providing food services, to the Southern Baptist
Convention Disaster Relief providing mobile shower units and laundry services
onsite for residents everyone is doing their part to make sure life inside the
shelter is the best it can be.
“Many
residents have access and function needs at this shelter,” said Sue.
In
addition to basic sheltering services, the Red Cross provides special needs
cots, service dogs, mental health professionals and health care professionals
to shelter residents.
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| Warm meals provided by Red Cross partners, the Salvation Army. Photo by: Heather Kanipe |
A children’s section with books and toys was also set up to help occupy the smallest residents, like two-year-old Joselynn Altman.
Joselynn’s family stayed in a hotel as long as they could after Hurricane Florence hit, but at $60/night they decided to seek out a Red Cross shelter three days ago.
“Water was up to our doorstep when we left and we don’t know what we will find when we go home,” said Amanda. “During Hurricane Matthew, we had to put Joselynn on our shoulders to escape our home in chest deep water so leaving before Hurricane Florence was an easy decision. We didn’t have to be told to evacuate.”
And thanks to the Red Cross’ team of volunteers and community partners, the mission to provide support and comfort is making a difference for the families who need it most.
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