Tag: Helene

After the Storm: Heartwarming Stories of Reunion  

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, countless families were torn apart. Amidst the chaos, the Red Cross reunification teams worked tirelessly to bring hope and connection back to those affected. This vital work continues as the Red Cross remains committed to reuniting loved ones and restoring communication disrupted by these devastating storms. While this service may not receive as much attention as other disaster relief efforts, it has handled over 11,500 inquiries, helping to mend the broken lines of communication.  

Alex Wincell, a dedicated Red Cross volunteer from the Minnesota and Dakotas Region, was virtually deployed to the reunification team. “I knew I couldn’t go in person due to some obligations at home, but I wanted to help,” Alex shared. She was quickly assigned to the task just days after the chaos ensued, when the situation was still highly uncertain. 

Red Cross volunteer Alex Wincell, pictured in 2020, helping with a local fire response in Minneapolis. Photo by Lynette Nyman – American Red Cross.

This was Alex’s first experience with reunification work. “I was able to use my case work background which was extremely useful. If you like puzzles, this would be a good role for you because its creative problem solving. It’s fascinating and very meaningful when all the pieces come together.” 

 Among her many contributions, Alex recalls a particularly touching case where she assisted an 83-year-old woman in locating her long-time friend and colleague, an 86-year-old resident from Asheville, North Carolina. The two had been in contact shortly before the storm, but Alex only had the friend’s phone number, not an address. 

Reuniting friends can be more challenging than family members, as families often have networks to aid in making contact. Despite this, after ten days of diligent effort, Alex was able to reach the woman’s daughter, who confirmed that her mother had weathered the storms and was safe. 

In another case, Alex was tasked with finding an elderly person living in a remote area cut off by blocked roads and out-of-service landlines. Using tools like property records and Google, she managed to contact the woman’s neighbor. They agreed to bring their cell phone to her house so that Alex could speak with her directly. 

In this reunion, there was so much gratification, and I know how much both parties appreciated our efforts,” Alex reported.

“Even through the phone, I could tell it made the person who was found happy to know that someone was looking for her.”

Reflecting on her virtual deployment, Alex noted that while she prefers working in person, “this type of work makes sense to do virtually since it all begins with the seeker who can be from anywhere in the country or the world. It still gave me a lot of client contact and it was a very rewarding experience.” 

This story is just one example of how the Red Cross is committed to alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies. If you are inspired by Alex’s story and want to make a difference, consider volunteering or donating to the Red Cross today.  To apply to become a Red Cross volunteer visit redcross.org/givetime, to donate visit redcross.org or text the word HURRICANES to 90999.

Making a Difference in Time of Crisis: Unsung Heroes on the Frontline

Red Cross volunteer Mark Capaldini from the Twin Cities Chapter of the Minnesota and Dakotas Region recently returned from a 10-day deployment to North and South Carolina. He helped in food operations, driving an emergency response vehicle (ERV) to deliver meals to the communities affected by the wrath of Hurricane Helene. Mark also helped in the distribution of emergency relief supplies in these communities. This was his third such national deployment.

Mark Capaldini, pictured at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport as he starts a 10-day deployment to North and South Carolina for Hurricane Helene disaster relief. (Photo submitted)

For the first six days Mark worked with an ERV driving partner, Jeff Wick from Texas. On one of those days Mark and Jeff travelled into a severely impacted community to distribute food and teamed up with two more Red Cross volunteers to package and distribute hot meals.

Mark Capaldini pictured helping with meal distribution with fellow Red Cross volunteers Tim Perry, Greg Purkey, and Jeff Wick in a small South Carolina town — Ware Shoals on 10/11/2024.
(Photo submitted)

“We were thanked almost daily for being there and helping out,” Mark humbly expressed. “Frequently, these expressions of gratitude, often paired with a ‘bless you,’ originated from receivers of our food and clean-up kits. We were even thanked by passersby at local gas stations and fast-food locations.”

Mark’s assignment then shifted to delivering emergency relief supplies to some of the communities hardest hit.

Witnessing the aftermath in Boone, North Carolina, a town in the Blue Ridge Mountains that experienced immense damage from rains, flooding, winds, and a tornado, was a glaring reality check. Mark explained that “furniture and supplies were strewn and stacked outside homes, painting a grim picture of the devastation.”

View of a Boone, North Carolina, neighborhood devastated by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene provided a somber illustration of the disaster’s magnitude. (Photo submitted)

He further noted the widespread impact on the landscape. “The water that rushed down from the mountains carved out huge chunks of the countryside and sometimes completely washed the roads out, requiring us to travel on temporary gravel paths. This is an enormous effort that will take years to get the roads and infrastructure repaired.”

View of a Boone, North Carolina, neighborhood devastated by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Temporary gravel paths replaced washed out roads. (Photo submitted)

When asked about his chance to get some well-deserved rest following the deployment, Mark agreed, emphasizing the comfort he anticipated upon returning to his own bed.

“It worked out for me to go and help,” Mark said. “My experience reiterated the critical role the Red Cross plays in these relief operations in responding to natural disasters.”

Mark Capaldini is a board member of the American Red Cross Twin Cities Chapter of the Minnesota and Dakotas Region.