A Family Affair: Setting up an American Red Cross Shelter Together

Story by: Cindy Huge, American Red Cross Volunteer

When the call came in to set up an immediate shelter the Bass family sprung into motion. 

They had been trained in sheltering, by their local chapter of the American Red Cross, but have never had the opportunity to set one up until Hurricane Florence arrived. Carolyn, her son, Eric, and daughter in law, Elizabeth, quickly assembled at Blenheim Middle School, in Conway, South Carolina and went straight to work. Elizabeth took out the manual and page by page followed the instructions, step-by-step on how to organize a shelter. This came as no surprise to her husband and mother in law since Elizabeth was a teacher and the “organizer” of the family.

With the help of family and his best friend, Eric began to set up the cots needed for the 200 evacuees since he knew people would be arriving soon and he wanted them to have a comfortable bed with a warm blanket.

Carolyn, Eric and Elizabeth Bass.
Photo by: Heather Kanipe

As clients began to arrive most of them were very wet from the rain and rising waters. Everyone was greeted with a smile, a hug and reassured that they would now be in a safe, dry place with warm food to eat.

The Bass family left nothing out while setting up their shelter and even identified a space for all the pets needing a place too. They made sure the animals were all well cared for, had easy access to the outdoors and were housed in a safe, warm and dry spot. The cats, dogs and even a bird all co-existed well in their personal cages placed around the room.

News came that a retirement home needed to be evacuated and the Bass family arranged for the residents to be all housed in their own area of the shelter along with their caretakers so that they would feel more comfortable.

“We loved being available to assist the elderly, they mean so very much to us in this community. Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth Bass with a furry shelter resident.
Photo by: Heather Kanipe

As the days progress, the Bass family remains at the shelter, even spending the night in the volunteer area, to reassure that each client feels safe and is well taken care of. Their love for one another is apparent and easily transmitted to everyone whom they encounter. They truly are the heart of the Red Cross.