My name is Karen Anderson and I work for the American Red Cross. Every day, I receive phone calls about a disaster whether it's a house fire, hurricane, tornado or something else. There are so many stories about families who have been helped by my agency but there is one recently that I can tell you my volunteers and I think about every day.

I was at the office and got a phone call from the fire department. I dispatched my volunteers to the area but was not prepared to hear the story when they returned. It was a normal day for Jane Doe, a grandmother. She lives next door to her daughter and 2 adorable grandsons, ages seven and four.

One morning as Jane was going about her morning routine, she caught a glimpse of something outside her window. She went to investigate and realized her daughter's house was on fire. Jane called 911, ran back to the house where she was banging on the windows and doors screaming for her daughter. She was struggling to get the front door open until she finally gathered enough strength to wrench open the door. As the door flew open, her daughter and both of her grandchildren fell into her arms. They had been wrestling with the door trying to open it.  

None of them were responsive to Jane. As the ambulance arrived the emergency crews took over. All three were rushed to the hospital. Jane's seven year old grandson survived; however, her daughter and four year old grandson died at the hospital. The surviving child was sent to live with his grandmother. Every day this child plays in the yard in the shadows of the house that his mother and his little brother died in.

My volunteers showed up to talk with Jane and she received assistance with food and clothing for her grandson. We also were able to help with burial expenses for her daughter and grandson that died. After further contact with Jane and her grandson, my agency assisted them with some needed mental health counseling to help them accept what fate had dealt them.  

My name is Karen and without United Way funding my agency would have not been able to respond effectively to this family and give them the assistance they so desperately needed!

(Names, Ages and Locations have been changed for privacy reasons)

American Red Cross
 While many people recognize the Red Cross for assisting with disasters and collecting blood donations, the Red Cross also provides many Services to Armed Forces, Health and Safety Training programs and initiatives that are widely recognized as the "gold standard." Our local American Red Cross provides these services: disaster relief, emergency preparedness, education (including CPR & first aid), and emergency communications for military families. With their help, individuals and families are given immediate support from volunteers with compassion and integrity to improve their quality of life.