Mickie Mohs- Red Cross Volunteer. Submitted photo.
In 1997, as the dikes broke in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and water flowed across the town and inside homes, people like Mickie Mohs had to flee.
“We ended up leaving during the night about midnight because the water started coming up the street and we didn’t want to be stuck there with our son in a wheelchair and not be able to get out.”
In her view, they ‘got lucky’ because the water stopped short of flooding their entire home. The basement was lost, and the family spent days emptying and mucking it out in the freezing cold of April.
“Well, the cool thing is, and I’ll cry because I cry every damn time, we were cleaning and I looked up the street because I heard something, and it was very quiet in those days because we got in fairly early, and the Red Cross truck was coming down the street.”
Red Cross truck outside home of Mickie Mohs in Grand Forks, 1997. Submitted photo.
The truck carried meals to people in the neighborhood where most were too busy to think much about what or where they could eat. Mickie asked the relief team how much money they wanted for the food, especially because she needed meals for family members and neighbors who were helping them.
“I’m like, I’m going to have to find some cash. And they’re like, no, this is all free. So, we’re all crying because these people are feeding us warm food and we’re so excited and it was good.”
The truck returned over the coming days. The experience stuck with Mickie. She made a promise to herself. “I always said, someday I’m going to drive the truck and I’m going to go feed somebody else who needs that.”
And she did. It took a long time. In fact, decades went by. Her husband and son passed. And yet the promise to herself remained and after finding new love and retiring she fulfilled it in 2024 when she drove a Red Cross truck to help people affected by Hurricane Helene in the southern states.
Now, learning how to drive the truck and everything that comes with it took some training, but once completed it was more a matter of resolve that helped Mickie turn the ignition key and hit the road when the call to help came.
“I sat and sat and asked – is it time? Is this a good thing for me to go? I decided, yeah, I’ve got two weeks right now. This will work. This is what I want to do.”
Mickie Mohs supporting Hurricane Helene relief in 2024. Submitted photo.
Red Cross relief trucks operate in teams of two. Mickie picked up her teammate in Minneapolis and the pair rolled on to North Carolina and Georgia, where they worked long days loading and delivering supper mostly for people gathering at community centers. In one case, the local partner asked Mickie to back in the truck.
“I’m like, I don’t back up. I don’t back up. He says, ’Yes you can Mickie,’ in his southern accent. And so, yes, I backed up. It was fine. And by the end, I was backing in like a champ.”
Being on the delivery side of disaster relief deepened Mickie’s understanding of the impact. It was, she says, about a whole lot more. “You offer hope. And acknowledge that somebody cares, and they’re not going through it alone. It’s not, you know, it’s not just food.”
Story by Lynette Nyman – Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region. Learn more and get involved at RedCross.org/MNDAKS.
Shylo Stevens received an urgent phone call in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 26, after a fire broke out on the 12th floor of Skyline Tower, a high-rise apartment complex in St. Paul, Minn. It was, she quickly learned, an all-hands response to help the residents.
Shylo Stevens with CommonBond talks with a Red Cross volunteer. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
“At first, I wasn’t really knowing what I was walking into,” says Shylo. “It was a lot of trying to figure out what had happened. What were the top priorities for our residents as we work through this?”
Shylo is a community program manager for CommonBond, an affordable housing nonprofit that manages the Skyline Tower apartments. With so many residents displaced, Skyline Tower residents needed to be temporarily housed in close to a dozen different hotels across the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area.
“It was getting them into hotels, figuring out who needs the police or fire department to bring them down if they had mobility difficulties and couldn’t come down on their own, as our elevators were out. With all that support, we were able to fully evacuate the building.”
Red Cross volunteers fill grocery packages for Skyline Tower residents displaced from Skyline Tower in St. Paul, Minn. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
Skyline Tower’s resident population is made up of about 1,500 individuals and families, many that migrated from other countries, the majority from Somalia. They’re tightly knit, says Shylo. “The sense of community I got that night, I can’t even explain. Just so many people coming in to assist left and right through this crisis, it was really beautiful to see.”
With so many residents displaced across close to a dozen Minneapolis–St. Paul hotels, some rooms had kitchenettes while others did not.
To support food relief for people with kitchenettes, Red Cross volunteers assembled more than 150 grocery care packages that contained weekly staples, such as rice, onions, bullion, and more, based on input from residents and local faith-based experts. And for those without kitchenettes, the Red Cross partnered with local restaurants, such as Afro Deli and Grill, to provide nutritious and comforting hot meals from a kitchen that residents trust.
Red Cross volunteers pick up hot meals from Afro Deli & Grill. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
Many people in the Skyline Tower community are of the Muslim faith and have strict halal dietary restrictions. To help meet the need, the Red Cross shifted early from the typical feeding approach used on many disaster responses to one tailored specifically to this community. The help, Shylo says, has been amazing.
“You know, here, soon it will be Thanksgiving, and you have to feed your family a meal. Now imagine trying to feed 1,500 people. You have residents who like certain things that others don’t, and many who choose their meals strictly based on their religious practices. There are certain things that they simply cannot eat, and it’s not because they choose not to, it’s their beliefs, their morals, and their values.”
Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States, with the majority residing in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. The relationships formed during this response will help the Red Cross better address community needs during future disasters.
In addition to food relief, Red Cross volunteers have facilitated relationships between CommonBond and other disaster response partners.
“One of the things that the Red Cross has been very helpful with is the connection with Ramsey County workers – they’ve been on site at the hotels working with the residents to make sure they have paperwork, their Medicaid, their insurance, so they’re kind of taking that off of our plate, so that residents aren’t missing that gap period during this time,” says Shylo.
A Red Cross volunteer views damaged apartment units with a repair worker at Skyline Tower, St. Paul, Minn. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
Around half of the displaced residents returned home at the end of October. The remaining displaced residents await building repairs. Red Cross teams will continue to work alongside CommonBond as people continue to recover from this disaster.
Story and photos by Nate Russell/American Red Cross Volunteer
We are deeply saddened to share that Peg passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Her unwavering dedication and years of service to the Red Cross left an indelible mark on our organization and all who had the privilege of working alongside her. As we remember Peg, we honor the incredible legacy she leaves behind – a legacy built on compassion, commitment, and a true passion for helping others.
For six decades, Peg Schaefer from Rochester, Minnesota, has embodied the spirit of the American Red Cross. Her remarkable journey of service has taken her across the globe, working at blood drives, responding to disasters, providing comfort and making a lasting impact on communities in need.
Peg, photographed in Byron, Minnesota (May 2025), ahead of an Employee Recognition Event, reflecting on her 60 years of service with the Red Cross. Photo submitted.
Beginning as a volunteer, Peg transitioned into staff roles, only to return to volunteering, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the Red Cross mission. From earthquakes to tornados, typhoons to hurricanes, forest fires to floods, Peg has been there – comforting, supporting, and serving. Her dedication has taken her from Saipan to Alaska, from Hawaii to Puerto Rico, and across the mainland U.S., with every stop adding a chapter to her extraordinary story.
In February, Peg celebrated her 90th birthday. In addition to this milestone, there was a beautiful reason to celebrate: almost 60 years of Red Cross service. Officially, she will reach the 60-year milestone in January 2026, but as Peg jokes, “They don’t have a pin for 59 and a half years, so we just rounded it up and had a 60th celebration.”
Peg and Melanie Tschida, executive director of the Red Cross of Southern Minnesota, share a joyful moment celebrating Peggy’s 90th birthday and 60 years of service to the American Red Cross – a beautiful day filled with stories, laughter, and lasting friendships. Photo submitted.
Peg’s journey with the Red Cross began in 1966 while living in Alaska, where her husband was stationed with the military. At the time, the Red Cross was one of the “approved” ways for military wives to give back and it quickly became a perfect fit. Encouraged by an officer’s wife to get involved, Peg began volunteering at Bassett Army Hospital in Fort Wainwright.
Just a year later, in August 1967, a devastating flood hit Fairbanks, and hospital volunteers like Peg were asked to step in. “Would you be willing to do casework?” someone asked. “Sure!” Peg responded with enthusiasm. She vividly recalls the whirlwind of activity: “It was a zoo! Back then, we used adding machines,” she says with a laugh. “I’d take a long slip of itemized expenses to my supervisor so they could issue a check for the essentials people needed.”
Over the following years, Peg became the go-to person for anything Red Cross-related in her community. “That’s how it is in a small town,” she explained. “The Red Cross wasn’t in the phone book, so people who saw me at blood drives or knew me as a military wife would just call me directly. We always found a way to make it work.”
In 1984, Peg went on her first disaster assignment outside of her home chapter to help respond to flooding in Kentucky. That was just the beginning of many more to come.
Peg captured during a lighthearted moment while responding to floods in the Quad Cities — her experience along the Mississippi earned her the title “Queen of the Mississippi,” complete with crown and royal regalia! Photo submitted.
The Red Cross became a second family to Peg. “Even though she was away from us,” her daughter Sherri Demos shared, “we knew she was with her other family.” Peg echoed that sentiment: “I was never with strangers. There were always familiar faces – people I’d worked with before. We’d just pick up right where we left off, like no time had passed.”
After transitioning from volunteer to employee in 1989, her day-to-day work focused on visiting chapters across the Midwest, teaching classes, and evaluating disaster preparedness plans to help them get ready for emergencies they hoped would never come.
Peg working in her office at the Red Cross Dane County Chapter, Madison, Wisconsin. Photo submitted.
Peg quickly earned a reputation for her no-nonsense approach – she didn’t accept excuses and firmly believed that all members of the community must be included in the planning process, “because everyone deserves a helping hand.” More than once, Red Cross staff thanked her for pushing them to do the hard work upfront – “those detailed plans proved invaluable when disaster did strike their communities,” she says.
Peg credits her social work degree with helping her navigate disasters and support people during their most difficult moments. “Sometimes it’s tough to take,” she reflects, “but I think of the families and their needs.”
Peg deployed to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to support tornado response efforts in December 2000. Photo submitted.
One of her most meaningful memories was being deployed during the holidays in Alabama. Wanting to create some holiday cheer, she and other volunteers went to Walmart and bought the last Christmas tree available — a humble “Charlie Brown” tree – and a few ornaments. Back at their headquarters, she and her fellow volunteers decorated with whatever they had to make it festive for all who were away from home.
During the December tornado response in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Peg was interviewed by CNN, offering insight from the front lines of disaster relief. On Christmas Day, she led an interfaith moment of reflection, inviting everyone to “silently ask for blessings in your own traditions,” as Red Cross staff paused to celebrate with food, music, and community in the midst of their tireless efforts. Photos submitted.
Since restaurants were set to be closed on Christmas Day, Peg asked the Mass Care team to find one that could prepare a holiday meal in advance. They located a restaurant willing to provide a traditional Christmas dinner – complete with three kinds of pie – for just $5 per person. The only requirement was that the meals be picked up early in the afternoon on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, she and her team – Red Cross volunteers, FEMA staff, and volunteers from partner organizations – warmed each meal one by one in the microwave. “It was the most moving holiday I’ve ever had,” she recalls. “And also one of the funniest,” she adds with a smile. “Some of the volunteers rewrote ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ with things every volunteer wishes for on deployment – like their own rental car. We couldn’t stop laughing.”
Over the years, Peg has witnessed countless changes in how the Red Cross operates, but her commitment has never wavered – even after retiring in 2011. “It’s in my blood,” she says. And true to her word, she continues to volunteer whenever she can: welcoming blood donors, teaching families about fire safety, and helping to recruit the next generation of volunteers. Though Peg admits, “I still have the urge to pack my suitcase,” she concedes that she no longer has the physical stamina for deployments. Still, her heart remains with the mission.
Her daughter Sherri adds, “Don’t underestimate my mom – she may be little, but she’s mighty. She’s a national treasure.”
Sherri shares an embrace with her mother Peg. “Don’t underestimate my mom,” Sherri says. “She may be small, but she’s mighty — a true national treasure.” Photo: Sue Thesenga/American Red Cross.
As Peg reflects on her 60 years of service, she effortlessly fills the conversation with stories of the people she’s met and the lifelong friendships she’s formed along the way. Her memories are rich and vivid, but what shines through the most is her conviction that it was never about her. For Peg, it was always a team effort – people coming together, each doing their part to make a difference.
What began in 1966, when a general’s wife encouraged her to volunteer with the Red Cross, blossomed into a lifetime of service. “It’s what I believe in – the mission and principles,” Peg says simply.
Thank you, Peg Schaefer, for your deep and enduring commitment to the American Red Cross. Your service has left a lasting legacy of compassion, resilience, and hope. You truly are a national treasure.
Slideshow of additional photos of Peg through the years:
When the wind finally stopped and the trees had settled into splintered piles across their yard in Erie, North Dakota, Lexi stood next to Hunter and took a deep breath.
Lexi and Hunter smile with relief, thrilled their wedding plans are still intact — the storm devastated much of the town but spared both their ceremony and reception venues. Photo: Carrie Carlson-Guest/American Red Cross.
“This wasn’t how we imagined the summer before our wedding,” she said.
Just days earlier, the young couple had been finalizing details for their ceremony in September. Now, instead of focusing on a celebration, they were cleaning up.
Then on June 20, storms with hurricane force winds ripped through towns big and small in eastern North Dakota, leaving the tiny village of Erie—population barely 30—reeling.
The storm took their shade trees, littered the road with branches, and left everyone asking the same question: Where do we even begin?
That answer came quickly. First, neighbors and family came to help. Then, church groups and people from across the region who drove for hours turned up. And then, the American Red Cross arrived.
“It went from warm water and silence to trucks, volunteers, and kindness pouring in from every direction,” Lexi said.
In the nearby town of Page, the fire station turned into a hub of comfort. Red Cross volunteers helped serve meals while neighbors gathered around folding tables to share food, stories, and sighs of relief.
In Page, the fire station became a refuge as Red Cross volunteers served meals and neighbors shared food and comfort. Photo: Carrie Carlson-Guest/American Red Cross.
“It wasn’t just about feeding people,” Lexi said. “It was about creating a space where we could breathe. Where we could sit with people who understood.”
Lexi’s dad used a company volunteer day to come and help cleanup in Erie. “He could’ve spent the day anywhere,” she said. “But he chose here. Not just for me—but for our community.”
Hunter spent those days helping others before even touching their own yard. “That’s who he is,” Lexi said quietly. “And that’s why I love him.”
Though many buildings were damaged, two small miracles stood out. The church where Lexi and Hunter plan to marry and the community hall where they’ll hold their reception — were untouched by the storm. “Out of all the places that could’ve been hit,” she said, “ours were spared. That has to mean something.”
The City of Page, ND’s fire station opened its doors as a community gathering place. Knox, who celebrated his his 3rd birthday in the Fire Hall, and his sister Kora, age 5. simply enjoyed being kids, blowing bubbles and zooming trucks. Photo: Carrie Carlson-Guest/American Red Cross
Their wedding is still on. But now, the meaning behind their vows has strengthened.
“We’ve seen what it looks like when people show up for each other,” Lexi said. “People we’ve never met before—just neighbors we hadn’t met yet.”
On his first deployment, Red Cross Health Services volunteer Daniel Odubura of Grand Forks, N.D., pitches in with a smile to serve hot meals to storm survivors in Page, N.D. Photo: Carrie Carlson-Guest/American Red Cross
In a part of the world where towns are small and pride runs deep, asking for help doesn’t come easy. But what Lexi and Hunter discovered is that sometimes, you don’t have to ask—people just come.
And when they do, they bring more than food or rakes or tarps. They bring hope.
Disaster response volunteer honored with regional Lifetime Achievement Award
In the small, scenic city of Redwood Falls, Minnesota – a place rooted in community – lives a woman whose quiet strength and unwavering compassion have rippled far beyond city limits. Her name is Diane – a Red Cross volunteer.
For 20 years, Diane Radel has been a steadfast presence in moments of crisis. From the wreckage of Hurricane Harvey to the fierce winds of Hurricane Ian, from catastrophic flooding in Louisiana, she has deployed to 18 national disasters. Closer to home, she’s responded to apartment fires and local disasters, always showing up when her community needs her most.
Diane on the ground during one of her many disaster deployments over the past 20 years — a testament to her decades of service and resilience. Photo submitted.
Her roles have varied – driving Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) to deliver warm meals, comforting survivors in emergency shelters, and distributing supplies to families facing unimaginable loss. But no matter the task, Diane brought more than resources – she brought hope, dignity, and a calming presence in moments of chaos.
A Calling Found in Crisis
Diane’s journey with the Red Cross began with a single image – a newspaper photo of volunteers in iconic red vests responding to a tornado in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, in 2003. She didn’t know it then, but the image planted a seed.
In 2005, when Diane’s father passed away, she found her daily routine unraveled. “I was a lost pup,” she remembers. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Then came the call for volunteers after Hurricane Katrina. “They said it was a three-week deployment, all expenses paid,” Diane recalls. “I had the time. Although I had seven kids, three in college – it just lit a fire in me.”
Diane, wearing her Red Cross vest, stands with clean-up kits ready for distribution during a disaster deployment — one of many in her years of dedicated service. Photo submitted.
After speaking with fellow Red Cross volunteer Barb Billmeier, Diane took the leap. “It was the first time I’d ever been away from home that long,” she says. But her husband and children encouraged her, saying, “Go…they need you more than we do.”
With compassion as her guide, Diane stepped into the role of caring for people finding refuge in a Red Cross shelter helping those who had lost everything. That first deployment marked the beginning of a journey that has spanned two decades.
Service Across the Nation
Diane’s volunteer work took her to disaster zones across the U.S., including a Thanksgiving spent helping in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in New York. “I thought I should be home with my family, but I just felt I needed to go and help,” she remembers, “but once again, they said, ‘Go…they need you more than we do.’”
One unforgettable memory from that deployment was delivering meals in the ERV to a high-rise in Chinatown that had lost power. “We didn’t serve the meals directly – we dropped them off. While waiting to pick up the food containers, Diane and fellow volunteers took a walking tour near Ground Zero, witnessing the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. “It was humbling,” she said. “A moment of grace in a difficult time.”
Diane also mentions her deployment to help those affected by Hurricane Helene last fall. She remembers the mountainous terrain and survivors still waiting for word on missing neighbors. “Someone said we needed to be strong for them – but no, we cried with them,” she recalls.
Diane, photographed near Asheville, North Carolina, during Hurricane Helene relief efforts in October 2024. Photo submitted.
A Life of Service
When asked what she’d say to someone considering volunteering with the Red Cross, Diane doesn’t hesitate. “Do it! It’s rewarding. Your heart has to be in it but give it a try. You’ll get way more back than you ever give.”
She speaks honestly about the challenges – long days, sleeping on cots, working with all kinds of people – but insists the rewards are worth it. “Any time you volunteer, it’s a blessing.”
Strength In the Face of Her Own Storm
In 2018, Diane faced a new battle: breast cancer. After a double mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and five years of treatment, she was declared cancer-free – until last year.
In November, scans revealed cancer had returned, spreading to her spine and lymph nodes.
“There’s no timeframe,” she says softly. “It wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Though her body has slowed, and she can no longer donate blood – once a treasured part of her Red Cross work – her spirit remains unshaken. “My heart is still in it, even if my body isn’t.”
A Lifetime of Meaning
Diane was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Red Cross. She recalls, “As they were reading the award, I thought, wow, that sounds really good and then I realized, they were talking about me!”
Diane receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Red Cross, presented by Sean Farley-Cowdin, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager, at the Volunteer Recognition Event in Mankato, MN on May 20, 2025. A proud moment honoring years of dedicated service and compassion.
Sean Farley-Cowdin, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager for the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region presented Diane with the award. “When the need is most, Diane doesn’t hesitate – she simply shows up. From the very beginning, with more than enough on her plate she had every reason to say, ‘not now,’ but she didn’t – she leaned in. She said yes. Yes, to her community. Yes, to the mission. Yes, to strangers facing the hardest day of their lives. Because for Diane, helping isn’t a duty – it’s who she is.”
Looking back, she says, “The years just flew by.” Each deployment forged lifelong friendship. “It all felt so natural – it’s my passion and what I was always meant to do.”
To serve with such compassion for 20 years requires an extraordinary heart. Diane’s legacy lives on in every life she’s touched – not through fanfare, but through quiet heroism, deep empathy and human connection.
Her story reminds us that true service comes from love – and a heart that never stops giving.
“The forecast is predicting a severe hurricane season this year,” she says, “I wish I could be there to help – it’s in my heart.”
For all who know her, one thing is certain: the world is better because Diane chose to help – again and again – with love, conviction, and a full heart.
If you have a heart to help like Diane, learn about Red Cross volunteer opportunities near you visit redcross.org/givetime.
Brimson Volunteer Fire Chief Randy Freyholtz talks to Red Cross disaster relief volunteer Lisa Posch at Hugo’s Bar, May 16 2025. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
These days, the sustenance at Hugo’s Bar in Brimson, Minnesota isn’t your standard pub fare. The tables where folks normally take classes for building fishing rods are now piled with diapers, tarps, thick gloves, contractor bags, and totes.
A small group huddles around a table. They hug, share a laugh, they cry. They discuss things they’ve lost, and they speak hopefully of rebuilding once the Northland Wildfires abate.
“We lost a lot,” a homeowner shares with Debbie Ecklund, who’s helping to manage the resource center, “the bar, the furniture, all handmade.”
“Stuff that you made?” She asks.
“No, the house was made in 1906. I wasn’t around to help.”
Debbie and the homeowner share a laugh at that.
Penny Linn and Debbie Ecklund at Hugo’s Bar in Brimson, Minn., May 16, 2025. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
Since the onset of the Brimson wildfire the owners of Hugo’s Bar, Jesse and Jessica Willemarck, converted their establishment into a 24-hour resource hub, sleeping in four-hour shifts to maintain round-the-clock services for wildfire relief.
“I don’t know what we would have done without Hugo’s here doing this for us – without Jess and Jessica doing this,” says Fire Chief Randy Freyholtz. “This has been amazing. The support, the community outreach has been phenomenal.”
As the crowd grows, Chief Freyholtz can be seen checking in on families and making sure his neighbors have everything they need. After he’s made the rounds and talked to everyone, he sits down at a table with Red Cross volunteers.
“Some of us [firefighters] have been evacuated,” he explains, “but so far none of our structures have been affected, so we’ve been lucky in that aspect. Very lucky. For how fast this fire’s been moving, we’ve been very lucky that we haven’t lost anybody.”
Chief Freyholtz and his small group of volunteer firefighters have been fighting the fire since day one. And he’s been evacuated from his home, sleeping in his truck at the fire station when not committing his waking hours to combatting the flames threatening his community.
“And how are you doing?” a Red Cross volunteer asks Chief Freyholtz.
“I’m doing good. I’m tired,” he says, “I think it’s starting to catch up with me finally. Now that things are starting to slow down and I’m sitting down more.”
Red Cross volunteer Kyle Parkinson compares distance between Hugo’s Bar and the fireline, Brimson, Minn., May 16, 2025. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
Rain during the weekend brought some respite. And information reports at Hugo’s say they’re full on donated goods and focused on distributing them to the people affected while donating the rest to food pantries and other community organizations to ensure nothing goes to waste.
To help reach people, Red Cross volunteers will be at Hugo’s to assess individual disaster care needs, such as health, mental health, and spiritual care. They’ll also use the site as a hub for working directly to provide support for those who have lost their homes to the fires.
If you or someone you know has been displaced by the Northland Fires, call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Story and photos by Nate Russell/American Red Cross Volunteer
Every deployment with the Red Cross is unique. Each one brings new challenges, new faces, and new lessons. My recent deployment to Asheville, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene was no different. Walking through the aftermath of the storm, I was struck by the immense power of water and its capacity for destruction. But even more impactful was witnessing the resilience of the people and the power of collective action as volunteers, first responders, and neighbors came together to rebuild.
“Walking through the aftermath of the storm, I was struck by the immense power of water and its capacity for destruction.” – Brice Johnson
Responding to a disaster like this is always humbling. It’s a privilege to see the Red Cross mission in action firsthand, to be part of immediate relief efforts, and to know that our work will support long-term recovery for those impacted. This deployment, in particular, left me with lasting memories of strength, compassion, and the incredible difference we can make when we work together.
Finding Hope in Housing
One of the most remarkable aspects of this deployment was the success of our shelter resident transition teams. These teams worked tirelessly to help shelter residents move into sustainable, long-term housing solutions. By the end of the deployment, almost every shelter resident had a more stable housing solution.
I’ll never forget a moment that brought this work to life for me. After a long day, I stopped at a fast-food restaurant for dinner. At a table near me, I overheard two men filling out job applications. One turned to the other and said, “The Red Cross got me a place to live, so now I can get a job.”
It was such a simple statement, but it carried so much weight. Having a safe and stable place to live gave this man the chance to rebuild his life. It struck me how transformative our work can be. This wasn’t just about housing; it was about hope and opportunity.
Sylvia’s Backyard Operation
Another unforgettable moment came when I received a call from Sylvia, a local community member who had been supporting nearly 300 people camping in the woods after the storm. With no formal resources, Sylvia set up a makeshift shower in her backyard and provided food and supplies to help them survive.
Her selflessness and determination were extraordinary. She had been doing everything she could with what little she had, but when she contacted us, we knew we could amplify her efforts. Almost immediately, we dispatched one of our emergency response vehicles to her area, initiating a feeding mission that continued long after my deployment ended. Each night, nearly 300 people were served a hot meal.
Sylvia’s story is a testament to the power of individual action and the strength of community. Her willingness to step up in a moment of crisis inspired everyone involved and reminded me how much one person can accomplish with compassion and determination.
The Long Road Ahead
Disasters like Hurricane Helene leave a lasting impact, and recovery is never quick or easy. While the immediate relief we provide is critical—sheltering families, serving meals, distributing supplies—it’s just the beginning. The road ahead for Asheville and the surrounding areas will be long, but the Red Cross’s commitment to being there for the entire journey is a source of hope for so many.
This deployment reinforced what I’ve always believed about disaster response: It’s a collective effort. From our volunteers on the ground to local community members and first responders, every person plays a role. Together, we help restore not just homes and livelihoods but also dignity and hope.
“This deployment reinforced what I’ve always believed about disaster response: It’s a collective effort.” – Brice Johnson
The Privilege of Service
Being deployed to a disaster like Hurricane Helene is a profound experience. It’s a chance to witness resilience in action, to be part of something bigger than yourself, and to see firsthand how compassion and dedication can transform lives.
I carry with me the memories of this deployment—the resilience of the people we served, the commitment of our teams, and the extraordinary kindness of individuals like Sylvia. These moments remind me why the work we do is so important and why I’m so grateful to be part of the Red Cross.
As I reflect on my time in Asheville, I’m reminded that every disaster is different, but what remains constant is the spirit of service and the power of hope. To all who serve, thank you for being the light in someone’s darkest moment. And to the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, know that the Red Cross will be there for you—not just during the storm, but for as long as it takes to recover.
By Brice Johnson Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region
Brice Johnson with regional executive assistant Neela in North Carolina, 2024.
In the early hours of September 28, 2024, Susie and Charles Rutherford from Apple Valley, Minnesota, set out on an important mission. Driving a Red Cross emergency response vehicle, they left the Minneapolis Chapter building bound for Tallahassee, Florida, to support communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
Susie and Charles Rutherford began their journey to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts by driving a Red Cross emergency response vehicle from the Minneapolis Chapter building to Florida – September 28, 2024. (Photo – Carrie Carlson-Guest, American Red Cross)
This marked Susie and Charles’s first national deployment as Red Cross disaster volunteers. For their daughter, Lindsey Heald, a regional philanthropy officer for the Minnesota and Dakotas Region, it felt natural. “I’m so proud of them,” Lindsey shared. “Growing up, they taught me the meaning of compassion. Now, seeing them bring that same spirit to the Red Cross is incredible.”
For Susie and Charles, the chance to serve together was a gift. “What better way to serve others than side by side with my husband?” Susie said. Both felt a mix of excitement and a reassuring sense of readiness. “The Red Cross prepared us so well,” Susie explained. “Even if we didn’t have every answer, there was always a supervisor on call to guide us. Flexibility was key; we had to embrace the ‘Semper Gumby’ (always flexible) spirit because roles change constantly in disaster zones.”
Over 19 days, the Rutherford’s witnessed both devastation and resilience as they navigated towns transformed by the storm. “Thousands of trees were down, and buildings were damaged or destroyed,” Susie recalled, painting a powerful picture of the scene. Amidst the destruction, there was an unbroken rhythm of recovery—state workers clearing roads, power trucks restoring electricity, and community members coming together.
Susie and Charles Rutherford pictured outside the emergency response vehicle they drove to Florida for Hurricane Helene and Milton relief efforts. (Photo submitted.)
Their role was to deliver hundreds of hot meals daily to shelters, community centers, and other gathering spots for those affected. For the Rutherford’s, the appreciation they saw in the people they served was unforgettable. “The heartfelt gratitude in their eyes will always stay with us,” Susie reflected.
Example of damage caused by Hurricane Helene is a neighborhood the Rutherford’s drove through. (Photo submitted.)
The community’s gratitude was evident at every turn. “People would honk and give us a thumbs-up when they saw the Red Cross logo on our vehicle,” Susie smiled. “Even police officers stopped to thank us as we refueled.”
Line up of cars coming to the shelter where the Rutherford’s were serving food near Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo submitted.)
The hurricane response gave Lindsey a meaningful opportunity to contribute. “I was grateful to step up and support my colleagues in Asheville, North Carolina, for my first virtual deployment!” she shared. “This experience has left me with an extra soft spot for my Red Cross friends in the Carolinas.” Lindsey adds, “I’ve chosen to focus my career here at the Red Cross because I love this work. With my parents now volunteering, it has brought our family closer, strengthening our dedication to helping others through the Red Cross mission.”
The Rutherford’s journey left them with a deep sense of pride and fulfillment. “Helping people in their hardest moments is an honor,” Susie said. “If you’re thinking about volunteering, there’s a place for you here.”
Susie and Charles Rutherford pictured with their children at their surprise 50th wedding anniversary celebration, June 2024. (Pictured left to right – Charles, Susie, Lindsey, Briana, and Charlie – photo submitted.)
Join the Red Cross and make a difference. Sign up at redcross.org/givetime or donate at redcross.org or by texting HURRICANES to 90999.
“Everything was good until Beryl came,” says Delta Alexander, a lifelong resident of Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“Everything was good until Beryl came,” says Delta Alexander, who was born and raised on Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She is grateful for the care and support that the local Red Cross provided following Hurricane Beryl. Photo: Lynette Nyman/IFRC
She’s thankful for the care and support the local Red Cross provided after Hurricane.
Beryl. Delta left Union Island in 1969, always planning to return, and in 2015, after retiring from a nursing career in Canada and the U.S., she came back to rebuild her life.
For the next three years, she built a home and continued her humanitarian work in this tight-knit community. The hurricane hasn’t slowed her down.
“The people I’m grieving for are those in shelters. They have no money, nowhere to go. They lost everything, houses, clothing, even underwear,” she says.
Her house, situated on low land near the shore, was quickly surrounded by high water during the category 5 storm that struck parts of the Caribbean on July 1. The winds, too, were a threat. For four hours, she held back a door, dislocating her shoulder. At 78, her strength and generosity are inspiring.
“I saw death right there. How am I going to escape?” she recalls asking herself during the storm.
The trauma connected her with St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross (SVGRC) volunteers who responded to help people on multiple islands and the mainland.
Early in the emergency, Red Cross volunteers set up relief operations at a church on Union Island, distributing non-food items as well as a space for people to share their experiences – it was much-needed and appreciated emotional support.
“Red Cross was wonderful. People were very nice. So soothing. Helpful and encouraging,” says Delta.
Small society, many hazards
The SVG Red Cross is a young national society that gained its independence from the British Red Cross in 1984. Today, the SVGRC is comprised of a nearly 100 percent volunteer workforce, including key leaders like Shaneika Laidlow who manages their disaster and mental health programs. Their aim, she says, is to help people get back to normalcy.
“We offer assistance to those who most need it, to the best of our ability,” says Shaneika Laidlow, who manages disaster and mental health programs for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross. Photo: Lynette Nyman/IFRC
“During these times people can get very frustrated. Does the Red Cross care for them?” says Shaneika, who is based in the nation’s capital on the mainland, St. Vincent. The answer is yes.
“There are so many people we would love to make better, but there are some things we’re unable to do at this time because of restraints. We offer assistance to those who most need it to the best of our ability,” she says.
The scope of the work, and the potential need, is challenging. This small nation and Red Cross society faces multiple hazards, including tropical storms, flooding, hurricanes, and even an active volcano.
In early October, monitoring showed unusual thermal activity of the La Soufriere volcano – activating the government to issue a low-level warning and close the trail to the summit.
La Soufriere, shrouded in clouds, is an explosive volcano that most recently erupted in 2021. It’s one of several hazards facing the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross. Photo: Lynette Nyman/IFRC
The thermal anomaly stopped, but reminded many of past explosive eruptions like the most recent in 2021 when, on April 9, the dome inside the crater blew and for days spewed devastating volcanic ash across communities.
“It was like the sun was out, but not there. It was all dark,” remembers Edwin Joe, who lived in the countryside distant from the ‘red zone’. He remembers ash covering everything. “Just white everywhere, like bright snow with no sun. We didn’t know what was going to happen.”
Edwin Joe evacuated the St. Vincent, the mainland, for two weeks following the eruption of the volcano La Soufriere in 2021 and returned to find houses that had roofs collapsed from the volcanic ash. Photo: Lynette Nyman/IFRC
Edwin evacuated the mainland for two weeks and returned to find some houses that had roofs collapsed from the volcanic ash. Many people stayed in shelters for several months.
The Red Cross formed part of the response with the government and other emergency partners, providing water, relief items and temporary housing assistance.
Help around the corner
The good news is that during challenging times a small Red Cross society like the SVGRC can turn to other national societies for help, primarily through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC).
Raziel Uranga, a Mexican Red Cross responder with decades of disaster response experience deployed through the IFRC ‘surge’ program to serve as response operations support in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. His predecessor, he says, arrived just a few days after the hurricane, helping the SVGRC manage a large disaster response.
Photo 4 – Small Red Cross societies “need support from the global Red Cross network in order to grow as fast as they can, especially with the multiple hazards they’re facing,” says Raziel Uranga from the Mexican Red Cross, now deployed to support the SVG Red Cross provide relief for people affected by Hurricane Beryl. Photo: Lynette Nyman/IFRC
“Red Cross is the best humanitarian movement in the world, I am convinced, because no other organization has the workforce that we have,” says Raziel, whose passion lies in reducing risks amid the rising frequency of severe disasters.
Responders and donors from around the world – and in their own communities – have provided relief for people affected by Hurricane Beryl.
It’s uplifting for many to see this unified effort. And yet, when something big happens, a small national Red Cross society like the SVGRC needs help to do its best now and beyond.
“They need support from the global Red Cross network in order to grow as fast as they can, especially with the multiple hazards they’re facing,” says Raziel.
These hazards can destroy homes and livelihoods. Building back both is the focus on Mayreau, an islet just a short boat ride from Union. Wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow, people are removing rubble to restore the island’s sole income, tourism.
“We have to clean up this island to get tourism back – to get people back from Martinique – to see the turtles,” says Patrick Forde, a water-taxi driver before the storm.
“We have to clean up this island to get tourism back – to get people back from Martinique – to see the turtles,” says Patrick Forde, a water-taxi driver before the storm devastated Mayreau, an islet in the Grenadines. Photo: Lynette Nyman/IFRC
Patrick rode out the hurricane in a small cupboard with his two children. “I’m lucky to be alive,” he says when looking back.
Tiny but mighty, what he loves about his island is the way people unite. “Whenever there’s a disaster, we all show up and work together.”
Learn more about the work of Red Cross societies around the world, like SVGRC, through the IFRC, click here.
Red Cross Disaster Mental Health volunteer, Mary Parker, shares her experience
Disasters are traumatic events. And while many Red Cross volunteers are trained in myriad roles, such as staffing shelters, handing out cleanup kits, driving box trucks and the like, there are also volunteers trained specifically to support the emotional health of individuals and families affected.
Mary Parker is one such volunteer, “We’re all trained in the mental health field, either currently working or done working. This is just our passion, it’s part of our DNA— to help people.”
Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Volunteer Mary Parker from Side Lake, MN at a disaster training conference. Volunteers participate in free training specific to their position.
A Red Cross volunteer for six years, Mary is currently helping people impacted by flooding in Minnesota and South Dakota. Her role is to manage Disaster Mental Health (DMH) services for the response. To reach more people, she says they’ve embedded with other service teams.
“Mental Health has been accompanying crews as they deliver emergency supplies and cleanup kits, talking to clients, providing as much emotional support as we can…We also went out with the damage assessors. As they were going out to assess damage, we did some ride-alongs to talk to people in real time.”
Mary monitors the pulse of the Red Cross relief effort, keen to tap any opportunity that will ensure a Disaster Mental Health presence, “Basically, any activity that’s going on, if I have a mental health provider available, they go. That way there’s more good face-to-face interaction. It’s a good way to determine if we need to do a follow-up call with them.”
Mary continued, “The DMH role really is to be able to listen to their story and have someone to hear their hardships and struggles. We validate their hardships, give them a hug if they need one, remind them that they are resilient, and offer compassion and empathy. We’ve been at fixed sites, we’ve been on the [emergency response] vehicles, we’ve also had DMH at the shelters and alongside caseworkers at resource centers.”
Mary Parker sharing her experiences with fellow Red Cross volunteers at a recent volunteer event.
The Red Cross hosted several resource centers for individuals displaced by recent flooding in Minnesota and South Dakota where trained Red Cross volunteers can open recovery casework for those whose homes sustained major damage or were destroyed. “We’re coordinating health services, mental health and spiritual care, so at least one if not more have been represented at each site.”
In addition to standard Red Cross disaster assistance, individuals and families may of course request to speak with a disaster health, spiritual health, or mental health volunteer about their needs.
“It’s what we do!”
Resources Every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster somewhere in the United States. Often it’s a single family home fire. Sometimes it’s a larger disaster like a flood or a tornado. Homes, which are supposed to be places of comfort and stability, can be destroyed, and with them that sense of comfort and stability can be turned on its head at a moment’s notice.
As the physical and emotional impacts of this disaster come into sharper focus for those affected, Red Cross caseworkers and mental health volunteers are on the front lines, providing one-on-one support to individuals and families. Their unwavering commitment helps address the evolving needs of residents during this challenging time.
The Red Cross encourages people to remember to take care themselves, their loved ones, and neighbors:
Support Each Other: In difficult times, it’s crucial for people to lean on one another. Reach out to friends, family, and neighbors—your collective strength makes a difference.
Be Patient: Floods can evoke a range of emotions and reactions. It’s okay to feel worried or drained. Give yourself the grace to process these feelings.
Children’s Needs: Traumatic events impact children differently than adults. Sometimes, their worries manifest in behavior rather than words. Be attuned to their needs and emotions.
If you or someone you know requires assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the free 24/7 multilingual Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. They’re there to provide support and guidance during challenging times.
Volunteers Needed Do you have a background as a current or former licensed mental health practitioner? Looking for a unique and much needed way to help your community in times of disaster? Consider joining the Disaster Health Services team! Learn more here.
Story by American Red Cross Volunteer Nate Russell.
American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region 