Walk into the St. Joseph County Red Cross Chapter and you may be greeted by volunteer Mary Allen. But she won't be here for long. She's heading out east where she's assigned to coordinate Red Cross Volunteers.
"You go in totally expecting nothing because you don't know anything."
Which is why she says, you have to be ready for whatever comes. Something she should know since she's done this before.
"I've gone on over 40 disasters."
That may seem like tons of traveling, but when a disaster like this strikes, Allen can't watch from home.
"They call us disaster junkies. My family teases me and says, 'while everyone else is running from a disaster, you Red Cross people are running in."
But for her it's more than a thrill.
"Everyone has a different purpose in life and this seems to be mine."
Allen says she's retired, has the time, and wants to help people. This is the only way she knows how.
"I don't have the kind of money that I can write the big checks like a celebrity, but this is something I can do."
It's also something director Doug Farmwald can do, which is why he is joining Allen on the trip.
"This is the kind of help that we want to give. So we're not happy that something bad happened, but we're really privileged I think to be a part of making it better," says Farmwald.
Both say it's no vacation. They put in long hours and work around the clock, but the experience is rewarding.
"Absolutely, that you know you've touched somebody in some small way," says Allen.
And for both, any small help they can offer is enough.
Farmwald says the East Coast still needs volunteers.
"Boot Camp" classes will be held on Thursday, November 1 from 4pm until 10 pm with a second session on Saturday, November 3 from 9 am until 4 pm at the St. Joseph County. These include two classroom sessions and simulation for volunteers to practice new skills.
A training session on Client Casework will also be offered on Friday, November 2 from 4 pm until 10 pm and is highly recommended for individuals interested in participating in disaster operations at either the national or local level.
If interested in the classes, call 574-234-0191 to sign up.
