Madison1118web

OCTOBER 13, 2018 / Red Cross Shelter
Bozeman High School / Panama City, FL
American Red Cross nurse Denise Smith confers with
shelter residents to access their health needs. Red
Cross nurses are routinely present in shelters to provide
disaster health services such as monitoring blood
pressure, assisting with refilling lost or used up critical
prescriptions, checking blood glucose levels of residents
with diabetes, and other critical health needs. Home for
Denise is Issaquah, Washington. She left her home and
flew across the country to serve the health needs of
shelter residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael.
Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross
to Tallahassee, from her home
are letting people sleep in the
here is so fragile and leaning
Michael Upton, regional
in Madison, ahead of the storm,
lobbies, they’re not turning
on each other for emotional
philanthropy officer for the
in order to be on the ground the
anyone away.”
support. But in the end, people
Mississippi Region of the
moment rescue and recovery
Bradshaw says that so many
are mighty, strong and able,
American Red Cross. “Financial
began. According to her, what
people feel isolated and
staying focused and determined
donations are always most
she has seen and heard is
forgotten. “I shared videos with
to be all and give all.”
appreciated, because we can
“heart crushing.” Her phone
shelter residents that I took of
Agencies, church groups and
then use the money for
constantly beeped with public
convoys of service trucks trying
others from across the United
specific needs. Our main focus
emergency alerts for food and
desperately to get in to help
States are calling to offer gifts
is to provide shelter, food and
water. “Children need food.
them. By day five, it was hard
of sunblock, bug spray, wood,
supplies. But when we are
The uncertainty of those who
for them to believe anyone was
nails, hammers, tarps, food and
bombarded with donated items,
don’t know where their loved
coming. I have given more hugs
water. But sorting out those
we have to spend manpower to
ones are, or if they’re even alive,
and cried more tears in the past
supplies and distributing them
organize it, find a place to store
is gut wrenching. I’ve seen
week, just seeing and hearing
is a massive job on its own.
it then distribute it. And many
search and rescue teams working
what has been going on. It’s
“While those gifts are appreci-
times, the items we get aren’t
around the clock. EMTs, too.
hard for staff, volunteers and
ated, the best thing people can
what is really needed.”
Shelters are packed full. Hotels
clients to be strong, as everyone
do is donate money,” says
Hometown madison • 19