Red Cross volunteers fly to Louisiana ahead of hurricane

by Tristan Henry (thenry@wsbt.com)

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Red Cross volunteers fly to Louisiana ahead of hurricane

Members of the American Red Cross prepare to leave from South Bend Regional Airport. They will help people impacted by Hurricane Gustav. (WSBT Photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Aug 30, 2008 at 1:55 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 30, 2008 at 4:40 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Local Red Cross volunteers boarded flights to Louisiana on Saturday. They are headed to the region to help people who are forced to leave their homes as Hurricane Gustav approaches.

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St. Joseph County Red Cross worker Vi Ward travels a lot.

"I've been to West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina," said Ward.

She's not headed for a Labor Day vacation, she's on a mission with the Red Cross to provide help and hope for people displayed by Hurricane Gustav. She's part of an advanced team of volunteers that are getting into place before the storm hits.

"The Red Cross has learned a lot in the last 3 years. They are no longer a reactive organization where they respond to the disaster, they are pre-positioned," explained volunteer Robert Pickel.

Pickel is headed to New Orleans, the city devastated by Hurricane Katrina three years ago. Its now in the danger zone for Hurricane Gustav.

'I'm fully prepared for the strength of the hurricane as it approaches," said Pickel.

But most Red Cross workers will not be close to the impact. They are headed to Baton Rouge, and will move in after the storm moves out.

"They are saying category 4, but I hope it breaks up or something before it hits land," said volunteer Richard Wilson.

"We go down there expecting the worst and hoping for the best," said Mary Allen.

This is Allen's 25th assignment with the Red Cross. She knows what victims of the storm will need from her and the rest of the Red Cross team.

"Sometimes people don't realize what they really need, they just want somebody to rub their shoulder hold their hand, to tell them, you know, 'We are there for you,'" said Allen.

So for this Labor Day, these local volunteers will be comforting strangers in one of their greatest times of need.

"I was ready for a family reunion on my wife's side, I was ready to go to that but I'd rather be down there helping people," said Wilson.

The Red Cross volunteers are expecting to be in the area for two weeks.

They will get a short break, then some plan to head back to the area if needed.

The Red Cross is also seeking donations. For more information click the "Elkhart Red Cross" link in the Related Content box.

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