In regard to Jonathan Titchenal's "Gouge Away" on Monday, THIS is the true story.
The organization that is most needed in the disaster area - the American Red Cross - is MOST interested in doing what it can to help alleviate the human suffering brought on by Hurricane Katrina and the other 70,000 disasters that happen each year across the country. I believe the incident referred to is an isolated occurrence and a misunderstood, one-sided story at best.
The Hoosier Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross has been working around the clock to do its part in raising the necessary funds, serving displaced families in our community, reuniting families and recruiting, training and deploying volunteers to provide much-needed disaster relief services.
As a matter of fact, our staff and volunteers are doing a phenomenal job - a job we take very seriously.
We have met with and trained nearly 400 individuals who have spontaneously made their way to the local Red Cross. To date, 85 volunteers have been deployed, and by the end of the week, numbers will surpass 100. We have held training classes and deployment interviews on 26 of the past 28 days or nights.
Your local American Red Cross has gone above and beyond the call of duty training and deploying volunteers in the most expedient fashion - it's a leader and shining example for Red Cross chapters in Indiana and across the country.
There are more than 25,000 relief workers
- more than 164,000 since Katrina first slammed ashore - from across the globe working to provide the vast array of services in this relief operation. Most are unable to imagine the amount of organization and timing issues involved in this scale of an operation even while the Red Cross works expeditiously to provide for the immediate needs of those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
This operation requires those who are willing and able to be flexible with departure dates as well as return dates. The difference between flexibility and those who have narrow or specific deployment availability is the same as the difference between running a marathon or a sprint. Flexibility and patience are key qualities of a Red Cross volunteer. ...
Once an individual takes the necessary training, he or she must register in the national system and submit a request for deployment. It may take two hours or even two weeks for that person to be requested by the disaster relief operation. This process is driven by the changing needs of the operation as well as the function and length of time each volunteer is available.
Until this week, we could only submit one's name and availability 48 hours prior to the desired date of deployment.
We are now able to plan ahead, and so are 900 other chapters across the nation.
Titchenal's opinion article was the first we had heard of anyone feeling disenchanted, and we would appreciate the opportunity to utilize his friend's willingness to make a difference. I would also welcome Titchenal to visit the chapter to see for himself the amazing work that is taking place each and every day. We are definitely not bored.
The Red Cross was one of the first on the scene, setting up shelters and feeding days before Katrina - and Rita - struck, and it will remain there until the last family has been assisted. Our interest in helping others will never fade. "Others" include victims of the disaster as well as individuals with a need to serve - our volunteers are the heart of this organization.
Since I am writing in a public forum, which I have wanted to do but have not had the time due to providing vital services, I wish to take the opportunity to publicly thank the entire community, including Ball State University, for its overwhelming outpouring of generosity of time and money.
I am blessed to be a part of the most awesome humanitarian organization in the world: the American Red Cross.
Write to Gina at
gbradburn@redcross-hhc.org
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