Local Red Cross worker says helping evacuees is worth it

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Red Cross shelter in Louisiana for Hurricane Gustav evacuees

Brittany Norman comforts her friend's daughter, Sa'Miya Williams, at the American Red Cross Shelter at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, La. (AP Photo/Shreveporttimes.com, Henrietta Wildsmith)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Sep 1, 2008 at 8:18 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 1, 2008 at 11:08 PM EST

LEESVILLE, La. -- Local Red Cross volunteers are working around the clock in Louisiana. They're providing shelter for tens of thousands of people who were forced to evacuate the coast.

Red Cross volunteer Sue Calhoun of Elkhart is working at a shelter in Leesville. That's about 270 miles from New Orleans.

This isn't the first time Sue has volunteered during a disaster. She says it's never easy, but it's well worth it.

"Just a little while ago the winds we were getting were about 50 miles an hour or more. We got a lot of rain. It was a lot of blowing rain," Calhoun told WSBT News by phone.

A scary scene playing out for many along the coast of Louisiana. But Calhoun says she doesn't have time to think about what's going on outside. Her focus is on the inside.

"I am managing one of the shelters here so it's been taking up a lot of my time. So, I haven't really had time to sit down and really process it," she said.

Calhoun is running one of three shelters near the coast of Louisiana, filled with more than 200 evacuees.

"So they're going to have a lot of hardships they're probably going to have to face. And that part is sad. You don't want to see anyone lose their home," she said.

Many of the evacuees are small children.

"They're actually doing really good. For the most part you can tell they're really bored and we're trying to find things to entertain them the best we can. And some of the parents are a little anxious, but we're getting through it," said Calhoun.

Calhoun is one of dozens of Elkhart County volunteers who left last Thursday. She says it's never easy leaving her family behind.

"Well, it's always hard because you got to commit to being away for a while. But you know, you have to do what you got to do to help people in their time of need as well. And I'd hope someone would do the same for my family if it was us," she said.

Sue is no stranger to disasters. She volunteered after Hurricane Rita hit three years ago.

"I feel like this was a calling from God has given to me and I plan to use it to the best of my ability to help people. And it's rewarding to know that you're helping other people," she explained.

It could be weeks before Sue will be released and is able to go home.

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