September 13 Hurricane Ike hit the coast of Galveston and surrounding coastal area of Texas. It has been over a week and September 24, was the first day that the residents who left Galveston Island could return to see for the first time the condition of their home. To prepare for the potential of 45,000 residents return the American Red Cross sent a crew of volunteers down ahead of time to support feeding efforts and provide emotion support.

Tuesday, just before sunset, Jeffery Biggs, Chapter Executive from Alabama, and I crossed the bridge into Galveston. As we made our way over, you began to see the impact Hurricane Ike had made on this historic community, heavily dependant on tourism and water related industries. Fishing and pleasure boats were strewn across the median of the bridge, people’s personal possession littered the landscape, roofs and siding flapped in the ocean breeze. Seeing those images first hand made the disaster real to me and I started to think of what these families would be going through tomorrow when they see their boat, their clothes or their home scattered throughout the community.

By the time we got to the island it was past 6:00pm and because there was a curfew in effect we went directly to the staff shelter at Aims Learning Center. Over the next few hours’ volunteers continued to check in and claim their sleeping area for the evening. In total, 136 Red Cross workers stayed in the staff shelter that night. At 8:00 pm we had an all staff meeting led by Jenny Carkner, Assistant Deputy Director and Mitch Henry, Feeding Manager of Red Cross Operations in Galveston. The inspirational words and message these two shared bonded this small team of Red Cross workers on what would be an emotional day for everyone. Their message reminded us of our core mission - not only are we giving families a hot meal, but also emotion support in the form of a kind smile, chance to share their story and a shoulder to lean on.

The next day I experienced first hand how needed and impactful those basic humanitarian needs are. As I walked through neighborhoods with my Red Cross vest on handing out flyers with storm related disaster tips and informing people where our fixed and mobile feeding sites were going to be I met face-to-face the people affected by Hurricane Ike. To them, seeing that cross on my vest, meant hope was on the way. As I walked up to houses, as they were cleaning up and putting their life on the curb to be thrown away, people were positive and very appreciative to the American Red Cross for being there for them.

This disaster assignment reinforced my belief on how strong the human spirit is in times of disasters and the humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross.