Minor flooding is nothing new in Southeastern Pennsylvania, but as Jameelah Shaw watched Hurricane Isaias move up the East Coast on the news earlier this month, she was still caught off guard. On August 4th she witnesses floodwater “rushing in” from the next street over, and before she knew it, her Philadelphia neighborhood, Eastwick, was submerged.
Jameelah Shaw holds her dog, one of the few comforts she was able to save before being forced to leave her home.
“I told my daughter, hurry up and move your car. She moved her car, when she walked back, when she moved her car the water was at her feet, when she came back it was here, waistline,” Shaw said.
Even with an eye on the local news and an eye on the sky, Shaw said the flooding happened so quickly she didn’t have time to save her home or belongings.
“It started about 1:00, about 1:15 my whole rec room, laundry room, garage, up my steps, the second step from the top landing all was underwater. My electric meter, my solar panel meter, everything was under water, in a matter of 15 minutes,” she said.
Shaw was one of hundreds of people in Southeastern Pennsylvania to be forced out of their homes by the contaminated water that week, and one of about 350 people to stay in local Red Cross shelters.
Red Cross disaster volunteers worked around the clock at several Red Cross hotel shelters for about 10 days after the August 4th flooding.
In response to the flooding caused by Hurricane Isaias, the Red Cross provided a cumulative 3,012 overnight stays for those displaced, mostly from Philadelphia, Delaware and later Chester counties. More than 100 Red Cross workers supported the relief effort, which included serving more than 3,500 meals and snacks together with partners, distributing more than 2,000 emergency items, and conducting more than 1,400 health services contacts for COVID-19 safety. Altogether, the Red Cross assisted more than 650 people with recovery support, in what ended up being the region’s largest disaster response operation since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
As one of many COVID-19 precautions, Red Cross shelter staff took everyone’s temperature as they entered, including Regional CEO Guy J. Triano.
Shaw said because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she couldn’t stay with family, so she came to the Red Cross. She said having a safe place to stay in the short term took a lot off her mind enabling her to plan for a long-term solution.
“We had nowhere to go. And you guys came in, Red Cross came in, you guys put us in hotels, even with our animals. You fed us three times a day,” Shaw said.
Unable to hug, Jameelah Shaw instead showed her gratitude to Red Cross disaster worker Susan Weiss by giving her an elbow bump.
Red Cross disaster worker, Jeff Moran, stacks clean up kits to give to people as they left the shelter. These kits included bleach, gloves, a mop, and a broom.
August 19th marks World Photography Day and we want to pay homage to one of the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s wonderful volunteer photographers, who has captured the essence of the Red Cross for the past four years.
James Jones has volunteered his time to work as a volunteer photographer since 2016 and has stood out as an exceptional volunteer. Jones has poured hard work and positivity into his time at the Red Cross, capturing events like Day at the Capitol, Red Ball, Camp Save-a-Life, Sound the Alarm events, and the annual Red Cross House picnic. I’ve had the pleasure to sit down and talk with Mr. Jones about his experience as a volunteer, his photography hobby outside of volunteering, and seeing some of his work from major Red Cross events.
In a rare moment, James Jones (second from right) steps in front of the camera for a photo with fellow volunteers at the 2019 Red Cross Day at the Capitol in Harrisburg.
Miriana Antenucci (MA): What initially got you interested in photography?
James Jones (JJ):I wanted a new hobby after retiring from the federal government and I was looking for something to get into. I became somewhat of an enthusiast with photography and quickly started upgrading equipment and getting involved in volunteer programs.
MA: How did you start volunteering with the Red Cross?
JJ: I started with another organization as a volunteer photographer and found the Red Cross online back in January of 2016. This looks like a great opportunity to expand his horizons and get involved as a volunteer photographer. I also do photography for family gatherings, however, Red Cross was primarily another opportunity I was looking for to expand my horizons in the area of volunteer photography. I went online and found an opportunity for photographers and videographers. I signed up, did all the paperwork and was accepted. My first assignment was Sound the Alarm.
A photo Jones took at a Sound the Alarm event in 2019.
MA: What did you like about photographing these events?
JJ: For me personally, I’m always trying to capture the true essence of the environment and people I’m photographing. The Day at the Capitol was a very unique experience. I haven’t been to Harrisburg so it was a unique experience from a personal standpoint and it was nice to interact and meet the other people from the other Red Cross chapters that were there at the State Capitol, and to see the show of support.
Jones took this photo of Red Crossers and state officials at Red Cross Day at the Capitol in 2019.
MA: For new volunteers interested in photography what would you want them to know?
JJ: To get involved. To take pride in the images they capture that display what the American Red Cross embodies.
MA: Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about?
JJ: I am prior military. I served in the navy. That’s one of the things that helps me be who I am now was because I had that opportunity to travel abroad and see a lot of things and take pictures.
I was stationed on the USS John F Kennedy aircraft carrier that’s now retired in Philadelphia. I had the chance to go to most of the Mediterranean countries, Italy, Greece, France, the North Atlantic, most of the Caribbean. I also served in the reserve program and did some more additional traveling and so I was able to go to Germany and Canada for different assignments. It’s all a part of my past experiences now. Now I’m retired and laid back. I’m trying to contribute to a good cause like American Red Cross
MA: Do you also practice photography outside the Red Cross?
JJ: Yes! I do photography for family gatherings and my own personal enjoyment. When I travel and since I have been retired for a number of years now, I have gone to South Africa, Canada, different places around the country and I always take my camera with me to take pictures to share with others.
MA: What is your favorite subject to capture?
JJ: Favorite subject is a little bit of everything. Like the jack of all trades and like to dabble in portrait photography, Macro photography, landscape photography, a little bit of all types of photography. I’m not really trained as a true photographer, so it gives me the opportunity to dabble in everything. I have taken a lot of different courses for photography both online, through the Photographic Society of America, and through a number of camera clubs. I’ve learned a lot from them. I’ve also done a number different courses in and around the area as well.
Jones snapped this photo of regional leaders posting at the 2019 Red Ball black tie fundraiser.
MA: Among your work, which one is your favorite and why?
JJ: I’d say Red Ball, because everyone gets dressed up and it’s a red carpet type of thing. I sort of play the role of capturing the ideal image of these people that are all dressed up and are looking great on this special occasion.
I also would like to say the Red Cross Annual Children’s Holiday Party Event to my list of photography volunteer assignments. I enjoyed photographing this event just as much or more than doing the Red Cross House. It’s the smiles on the kid’s faces … that make my day when I photograph this event.
Big smiles for the camera; Jones captured this photo at the annual Children’s Holiday party in 2018.Jones captured this photo of campers paying attention to a counselor at Camp Save-a-Life in 2019
It has been an absolute pleasure to sit down with Mr. Jones and view the pieces he has taken throughout the years. In his attendance of the Red Cross events, Mr. Jones has not only captured the essence of the joy and support that remain present within the community, but also embodied the spirit of a Red Cross volunteer. We hope that in sharing his experience, Mr. Jones not only serves as an inspiration for future photographers, but also future Red Cross volunteers.
On August 19th we recognize World Humanitarian Day, a day for celebrating the bravery and dedication of volunteers around the world. The American Red Cross is the country’s largest humanitarian network and volunteers are the heart of what we do. Every day, American Red Cross humanitarians bring comfort and immediate assistance to those affected by disaster, provide services for donation of life-saving blood and convalescent plasma for COVID 19 treatment, support the military, their families, and veterans, train and certify community members in First Aid and CPR/AED and so much more.
“I am surrounded by humanitarians at the American Red Cross. I see the selflessness in each home fire response, at each blood drive, and in all our efforts to support our nation’s heroes. I’m proud to lead such an inspiring group of people,” said Guy J. Triano, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region.
For Larry Daly, volunteerism is in his blood. In 1993, after serving as a Volunteer Firefighter in Abington, PA, he joined the Red Cross, saying it was a “perfect fit”. Daly has served in missions nationally and locally, providing immediate Red Cross assistance for those who have suffered a fire, flood, or life changing disaster. This past May, a 40-unit apartment in the Tioga Section of Philadelphia caught fire. When called to staff the shelter, Larry did not hesitate. In this time of COVID 19, the shelter was inside a hotel, instead of a gym or community center, for better social distancing. The trained COVID Shelter Team stepped right up to keep the people in the hotel and volunteers safe. When asked about volunteering in this pandemic, Larry modestly said “someone has to help”. This is true heroism and sacrifice to help others.
Larry Dally, Volunteer at the American Red Cross Southeastern PA Region
Many volunteer because they want to give back to their community, including Liz Von Baldas. After retirement, she wanted to feel useful and contribute to society in some way. Liz joined the Red Cross in 2016, and especially loves her work with Disaster Services . “It is one of the best things I do. Not only do I feel good helping people out after a disaster, I continue to challenge myself by learning new things,” Liz said. When participating in the Home Fire Campaign installing smoke alarms, Liz says a special memory was installing a bed-shaker smoke alarm, for a 3-year-old girl who could not hear. When these devices detect smoke or fire, instead of just beeping loudly, they shake the bed they’re attached to alerting the person to danger.
Liz Von Baldas records data at a Home Fire Campaign installation event.
Larry and Liz personify volunteer commitment to the mission of the American Red Cross in Southeastern Pennsylvania, preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies. To them and all of our selfless volunteers, we say “Thank you!”
More than a week after Hurricane Isaias left devastating flooding in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the American Red Cross is assisting people in the next step of their recovery, transitioning from the shelter back home or into a new place to stay.
Montrell Headen holds his 2-year-old son, Trent, as he talks to Regional Red Cross CEO Guy J, Triano before leaving the shelter.
After about a week in a hotel shelter, Montrell Headen, his wife Tiffany and their two children picked up their cleanup kit and comfort kits as they prepared to check out. These items are some of the more than 1,300 relief supplies the Red Cross has provided so far in this recovery effort, along with more than 2,200 overnight shelter stays for displaced residents.
Montrell and his family leave the hotel shelter with a Red Cross cleanup kit, and comfort kits in hand. They’d stayed in the shelter for about a week after their home flooded due to Hurricane Isaias.
Headen said the damage to his family’s home in Eastwick was so extensive that they were going to stay with loved ones while they look for a new place to live.
“It’s kind of hard for me and my family. My wife was in the hospital for 15 days so that was hard on us with the pandemic and the flood. But we’ve been trying to maintain. The Red Cross has been helping us out pretty good. Feeding us breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said.
Headen said having a safe place to stay in the days after the flood allowed them to focus on their next steps, and that he appreciated the warmth and kindness of the shelter staff.
“They’ve been great. Nice people. I love the Red Cross.”
Headen is one of more than 350 people the Red Cross provided emergency shelter for in the widespread flooding that occurred regionwide after Hurricane Isaias. Together with community partners, the Red Cross served more than 3,300 meals and snacks, and more than 100 Red Cross workers have been providing around-the-clock care and comfort to displaced families.
Jennifer Nesbitt also lived in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia and said this is the third time they’ve dealt with major flooding. She and her daughters were staying in another Red Cross shelter, and said the August 4th flood not only brought physical damage, but emotional stress as well.
“My home, looking at the water line, it was close to six feet of murky water,” she said. “It impacted me, I was very impacted. Not only looking at my home, but emotional feelings because we’ve been there before.”
Jennifer Nesbitt talks to Red Cross shelter worker, Susan Weiss, about her plans for the next few days of recovery.
Adding to the toll, the Coronavirus pandemic, which Nesbitt said had a large impact on her family.
“My daughters and I, we have been quarantined since March, in our home, because I’m immune compromised, and I have a special needs daughter that’s immune compromised. So this is the most I’ve been around anyone since March,” she said.
Despite living through circumstances that many people will only read about, Nesbitt says she has been able to find some positives, pointing to the people who volunteered their time and effort to provide support to those displaced.
“The Red Cross came along and they were our saving grace because they offered us lodging, and food, and comfort of a conversation in listening to what we were going through. So I want to commend the Red Cross very much, for being there for us. And everybody’s been doing it with a smile,” she said.
Red Cross support doesn’t end when people leave the shelter. Each family leaves with comfort kits containing personal care items to get them through the next few weeks. They’re also given a cleanup kit with supplies to help them clean and disinfect flooded homes. Each family is also set up with a recovery specialist who helps them plan next steps and connect them with other organizations that specialize in solving problems, like where to get new furniture, or assistance with looking for new housing.
Red Cross shelter worker, Ed Smith, helps organize cleanup kits to be given to families as they leave the shelter.
This Red Cross Disaster operation is far from over. And with a permanent presence in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Red Cross will continue its mission of alleviating suffering and caring for communities in this region.
It’s been nearly a week since Tropical Storm Isaias tracked through Southeastern Pennsylvania, causing widespread flooding and even tornadoes. Another round of storms Friday evening only added to the problems, causing new evacuations in part of the area.
Since the storm the American Red Cross has received more than 200 calls for assistance from local residents impacted by flooding. Preliminary damage estimates show more than 500 homes in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties received at least some flood damage. Teams have been out assessing this damage, and the Red Cross will use that information to provide personalized recovery plans this week to those impacted by Isaias.
Aaron Fields conducts damage assessments in Philadelphia’s Eastwick neighborhood after flash flooding from Tropical Storm Isaias.
And as of Monday, August 10, there were still more than 350 people staying in Red Cross shelters at hotels throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Ensuring people have a safe place to stay if they can’t return home after a disaster is a critical part of our mission. The coronavirus pandemic puts additional stress on families seeking shelter, which is why we’ve prioritized individual hotel rooms to keep families safe.
As the scope of the recovery effort broadens, the Red Cross has called in help from all over the country, and now has at least 95 dedicated Red Cross disaster workers providing care and comfort to those affected by the flooding. They are helping in shelters, serving meals, distributing clean up supplies and providing health services in shelters.
Ron and Debbie Brandon have been staying at one of the Red Cross shelters since they had to leave their home in Delaware County last Tuesday because of flooding. These shelters are staffed all day, with Red Cross workers providing information and helping to coordinate meals, snacks, and distribute comfort items like toothbrushes.
“They’re very helpful,” Ron Brandon said.
Ron Brandon picks up his individually packaged dinner from the Salvation Army at one of the Red Cross shelters.
As they picked up their dinner Friday night, they said the Red Cross came through to provide the essentials during their time of need.
“I just don’t know what we would do without them,” Debbie Brandon said. “You couldn’t’ meet nicer people.”
Debbie and Ron Brandon picked up diner before heading back to their room at the Red Cross hotel shelter.
It’s thanks to the dedication of Red Cross disaster workers, who are mostly volunteers, and community partners, that help is getting to where it’s needed most. Responding to disasters is a team effort. Together with The Salvation Army, the Red Cross has been able to serve about 1,400 meals to those staying in its shelters.
Many have already begun the arduous task of cleaning up what the flood waters left behind. This includes debris, mud, and contaminated flood water. The Red Cross has provided more than 500 cleanup kits to help with this process. These kits include a broom, mop, gloves and disinfectant, and have been distributed to impacted residents by the Philadelphia Fire Department.
Michele Green received one of these kits over the weekend while scrubbing out her home in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia. She said that “everything from the back door to the front door” was flooded.
Michele Green steps away from cleaning for a moment to accept a Red Cross cleanup kit and talk to a firefighter.
Regarding the cleanup kit Green said, “This will help us out, we’ll have plenty of stuff to clean,” noting that the process would likely take days, if not weeks.
Additional clean up kits continue to be distributed through the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management at Penrose Elementary School, 2515 S. 77th St. in the city. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, August 10.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted each and every aspect of this disaster response. All Red Cross disaster workers are wearing masks at all times, disinfecting often, and social distancing as much as possible. Those who can work virtually are doing so to limit the potential spread of illness.
Susan Poulton, who is trained in healthcare services, takes shelter worker Nancy Delucia’s temperature at a Red Cross shelter.
In Red Cross hotel shelters, masks are being distributed to displaced residents, meals are being served in individually packaged servings, and trained healthcare volunteers are screening everyone who enters for symptoms of COVID-19. The safety and well-being of Red Cross workers and the people they serve are of utmost importance.
More than 300 displaced residents woke up in Red Cross shelters as disaster workers kicked off the fourth day of the response following Hurricane Isaias in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Our teams have been busy providing care and comfort, hundreds of hot meals and snacks, and recovery support to those impacted by the flooding.
Red Cross Disaster Worker Greg Faber checks in with Ron Brandon, who is staying at a Red Cross shelter after his home in Delaware County flooded Tuesday.
Since Tuesday, the Red Cross has received over 200 calls for assistance, and as the response has grown, so has our team of trained Red Cross disaster workers. As of today, August 7th, more than 75 trained Red Cross disaster workers from all over the country were part of the recovery effort in Southeastern Pennsylvania. That team includes workers physically in the region, and those who are supporting the effort virtually from as far away as California, Oregon, and Florida.
Red Cross damage assessment workers have been out in hard hit areas, getting eyes on the impacted homes, and gathering information about homes that were affected by flooding. Our teams will use that information to help families create individualized recovery plans. In addition, Red Cross cleanup kits are being distributed at two city locations to help residents clean up and disinfect their homes after Tuesday’s devastating flash flooding.
Red Cross worker Aaron Fields conducts disaster assessment work in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadlephia.
Jessica Wright was cleaning mud and flood debris out of her garage Friday morning, saying this was the worst flooding she’s experienced in that area since Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Wright said a family member had to come home and wade through flood water to get inside and rescue their dog.
While cleaning mud and debris out of her home, Philadelphia resident Jessica Wright said this was the worst flooding she’s experienced in 20 years.
Isaias is just the latest storm in an already very busy start to the 2020 hurricane season. Across the country the Red Cross has responded to the call to help after Cristobal, Douglas, Hannah and Isaias brought wind damage and flooding. That’s why the Red Cross needs volunteers to help staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks to help those we serve. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available.
In addition, if you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with an active, current and unencumbered license, the Red Cross needs your support. Volunteers are needed in shelters to help assess people’s health. Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks.
More information on volunteering is available by visiting redcross.org/volunteertoday. Be sure to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and the people we serve.
Firefighters work to put out a large fire at the Ashwood Apartments in Chester County.
As firefighters were still working to extinguish hot spots, Red Cross disaster workers were already in full swing of a disaster response operation late last week when a large apartment fire in North Coventry, Chester County, displaced approximately 150 people.
Trained Red Cross disaster workers Janice Thomas and Elizabeth Stinson coordinate the first stages of the Red Cross response at the Norco Fire Station.
After getting the call from the fire department the night of Thursday, June 30, Red Cross disaster teams immediately started coordinating to get volunteers Janice Thomas and Elizabeth Stinson out to the area to start meeting with displaced residents, and coordinating with local agencies for the recovery effort as other Red Cross disaster workers arrived to help. The team set up at the nearby Norco Fire Station, where residents started to trickle in.
Executive Director of the Delaware Valley Chapter Jennifer Graham assists at the reception center, taking to residents and coordinating to replace lost medications.
While some volunteers met with residents to create a list of urgent medications that needed to be replaced, others worked on a plan to provide temporary lodging, and find out how many people needed a place to stay the night. A shelter team quickly set up at an area hotel to get ready to welcome displaced residents, with the Red Cross providing emergency shelter for dozens of people.
Volunteer Debbie Tevlin quickly works to set up a shelter at a local hotel for those displaced by the fire.
The Red Cross has COVID-19 specific precautions in place to ensure safety remains top priority, including individual hotel rooms to allow for better social distancing between families. In addition to providing a safe place to spend the night, Red Cross volunteers also screened those entering the hotel for symptoms of COVID-19, and distributed masks. In total, more than 90 people from this fire have received Red Cross recovery assistance.
Volunteer Will Dobnak prepares to conduct health screenings and distribute masks to people arriving at the shelter.
The Red Cross has been working with other local community organizations to help plan for the long term recovery of those displaced.
A sign points displaced residents to the Red Cross shelter, where dozens stayed in the aftermath of the Ashwood Apartments fire.
Tuesday, August 4, residents in every county in the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region felt the disastrous effects of Hurricane Isaias as it churned its way up the East Coast, leaving many unable to return to their homes because the damaged caused by the storm. The storm brought the most severe impacts from a tropical system to the area since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The American Red Cross stepped in to makes sure that as many people as possible received support, including a safe, dry place to spend the night.
The Red Cross received reports of flooding and damage region wide. Pictured are photos of flooding from Delaware, Philadelphia, and Montgomery Counties.
Isaias brought torrential rainfall and flooding, damaging winds and even two tornadoes. Despite being affected themselves, American Red Cross disaster workers answered dozens of calls for help, opening several evacuation centers for people whose homes were flooding.
Red Cross Volunteer Pat Alexander prepares to talk with displace residents while helping to staff a reception center in Delaware County.
By the evening hours, the Red Cross moved more than 130 residents safely to hotels, including one that is pet friendly. Hotels are being used instead of more traditional shelters like school gyms due to COVID-19 to keep people safe and socially distanced.
Wednesday morning at one hotel in Philadelphia, Pamela Frazier came down from her room to the front desk. She had spent the night at the Red Cross hotel shelter because her Darby apartment building had been flooded out.
“You saw it happening before your eyes,” she said about how quickly the water rose, covering roadways and sinking cars.
Pamela Frazier, who was displaced by flooding, talks with Red Cross shelter volunteers Nancy Delucia and Eileen Moran.
Frazier said that when she arrived the night before, she met Red Cross volunteers Eileen Moran and Nancy Delucia who welcomed her and helped her check into her room for the night.
“They’re fantastic. The personality, attitudes,” she said. “Everything we needed they were right there.”
Talking to those same volunteers Wednesday morning, she got updated information and information about her stay.
“Thank you for everything,” she said to them, before heading back to the elevator.
Having been previously flooded out of her own home years before, Moran said she understood the devastation people were experiencing. She said that she tries to help the local community by volunteering.
“We don’t just provide housing, we provide kindness. That’s a big part of what we do,” Moran said.
Red Cross Volunteer Eileen Moran takes inventory of snacks at one of the Red Cross shelter locations.
After a disaster like Hurricane Isaias, the Red Cross will tailor our services to meet the needs of each community. Local volunteers will provide critical, on the ground relief to their neighbors and we’ll offer some services virtually—including health and mental health services.
Health Services volunteer, Susan Poulton, checks in with people staying at a Red Cross shelter. Poulton also screened everyone for symptoms of COVID-19.
Anyone who needs Red Cross help should call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Most of the articles that appear in our blog for the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania are written by our talented team of volunteers. On Blogger Day, we’d like to introduce our dedicated blog writers and share why they volunteer for the Red Cross, plus some fun facts about them!
I decided to become a volunteer with the Red Cross after my first blood donation. Being afraid of needles, I was very nervous for my donation, but everyone made me feel so comfortable and welcomed during my appointment, I knew I wanted to do more! I loved writing, so Red Cross gave me the opportunity to become a blogger. I was born and raised in Roswell, New Mexico, so getting the chance to volunteer has been a wonderful way for me to give back to the Philly community and meet amazing people along the way.
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Kevonne Bennett
I began volunteering with the Red Cross to stay productive during the stay-at-home order. I thought it would be a great way to develop my writing skills while contributing to a good cause. My first experience with volunteering was planting trees with my classmates in middle school.
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Maria Marabito
I started volunteering for the Red Cross because I wanted to contribute and do something good during the pandemic. I felt so helpless at the start of it but volunteering has made this feeling begin to go away. The Red Cross makes it very easy and safe to volunteer, which I am grateful for.
Fun fact: I lived in Edinburgh, Scotland for a year. Loved it!
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Marta Rusek
I decided to volunteer with the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania because I was looking for a new way to use my writing and public relations skills for good, and I met a member of the Red Cross team at a nonprofit job fair who made the volunteer community sound like something I really wanted to be a part of! Before I became a blogger for the Red Cross, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in The Gambia in West Africa, and I worked in Sesame Workshop’s international division in New York City (being co-workers with Elmo and Grover were my favorite office perk).
In addition to being a member of the Blog Team, Marta also serves as SEPA’s Blog Lead.
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Sukripa Shah
Working as a Red Cross Southeastern PA Communications Volunteer has provided me with a robust platform to engage with like minded individuals who share a passion to help and spread positivity through the art and power of writing. I am always learning something new on my writing assignments that has tremendously helped me in my professional career. Recognizing the impact volunteers have on other individuals’ day to day lives through their inspiring, selfless contributions, and being able to articulate their stories through writing is a unique experience that I recommend every aspiring communications professional should engage with. Not only that, my volunteer experience has boosted my leadership skills and introduced me to newer opportunities that compliment my professional development.
Sukripa is also SEPA’s Volunteer Engagement Lead.
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Judith Weeks
I volunteered for the American Red Cross in 2005 and was deployed to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. I was so impressed with the Red Cross and how it was able to operate with volunteer leaders in a clearly fluid and often chaotic situation. I have continued as a Disaster Responder deployed to San Diego Fires; Kansas, Wisconsin, and Baton Rouge Floods; and local fires and disasters in the Central New Jersey Chapter, Delmarva Chapter, and now the SEPA Chapter. I am now using writing skills I learned as a senior marketing manager for major life sciences companies, and my 15 years experience to tell the American Red Cross story about its dedicated volunteers and humanitarian service it provides to those in need.
Red Cross Volunteer Larry Daly coordinates with an ACLAMO director at the organization’s weekly feeding mission in Norristown.
COVID-19 and its reverberations have hit Southeastern Pennsylvania especially hard. For vulnerable families, job insecurity and food insecurity loom large, and the prospect of hunger is a real concern. To ensure that no family goes hungry this summer, the American Red Cross is partnering with community groups to put help food on the tables of folks who are navigating difficult times.
Over the past several weeks, Red Cross volunteers have assisted ACLAMO Family Centers, a Norristown nonprofit, with its weekly food distribution. ACLAMO (Accion Comunal Latinoamericana de Montgomery County) allocates hundreds of meals each week, and the volunteers help set up, pack, and distribute bags and boxes full of food for participating families.
Red Cross volunteers assist at several ACLAMO feeding missions in Montgomery County.
In Chester County, Red Cross volunteers put on their logistics caps and rolled up their sleeves to move 20,000 pounds of food to local organizations for distribution—all in one day.
Barbara Schlenger-Faber was one of those team members. The mission involved plenty of planning—and then plenty of muscle was needed to move pallets of food from a warehouse into trucks and vehicles for further distribution.
“I really enjoy the physical work,” Schlenger-Faber said. “I had a career that was pretty much in front of the computer. I like just getting into it.”
She echoes a common Red Crosser sentiment, “The idea that we’re doing things locally feels good. I know there’s so many people in need, and one of the things I find gratifying about the Red Cross is the chance to give back.”
Red Cross volunteers unload boxes of food at the Lighthouse Youth Center, one of the organizations they distributed food to in Chester County.
None of that work would have been possible without volunteers like Schlenger-Faber and the dozens of others who’ve donated their skills and time at these events week after week.
“As we all navigate through an ever-changing environment, food sustainability has become an increasing concern, particularly for school age children. We are so thankful for the Chester County Food Bank and ACLAMO for their work in supporting local families, and we’ve been inspired by their commitment. Our alignment brought our missions together in a new way, mobilizing our volunteers to support a bigger purpose,” said Jennifer Graham, executive director of the Red Cross’s Delaware Valley chapter, which encompasses Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
“Our volunteers are the backbone of the work we do,” Graham said. “I am constantly amazed at their strength, perseverance, and commitment to the communities we serve. Whether it’s a large-scale disaster or a local need, they always answer the call—and through their volunteer service, particularly on these missions, they’ve provided not only physical but also emotional support with their camaraderie, smiles, and enthusiasm for lending a hand when and where it’s needed most.”
