Critical Care and Compassion Offered to Schoharie, NY | Update from the Field: East Georgia Red Cross on the front lines

Critical Care and Compassion Offered to Schoharie, NY

September 10, 2011

A trip to Schoharie, NY on Saturday morning, September 10, nearly two weeks since Hurricane Irene blew through this quiet town, and just two days after 8 more inches of torrential rain from Tropical Storm Lee brought the flood waters of the Schoharie Creek back into every home, flooding every street, and dampening spirits once again, brought several wonderful surprises.

The firs surprise was a long trail of vehicles crawling the 3 miles into the devastated town of Schoharie. Everyone in the cars was in a hurry but nobody was in a rush.  The hurry was the result of anticipation and eagerness to get out of the cars that were filled with neighbors from all over the northeast, eager to park, don their gloves and masks, and begin providing fresh energy to an exhausted and bewildered town.

The second surprise was an aroma of mixed tantalizing smells from countless BBQ pits, grills with hamburgers and hotdogs, and other all-American delicacies.  These were the gifts of nourishment and compassion from the American public, gathered in mass in Schoharie, NY – just another blessing given with love and hope to a town in great need.

The third surprise on my journey, in addition to thousands of spontaneous volunteers offering to clean out homes of unknown neighbors, and in addition to the very welcomed aroma of well-known “comfort foods,” was the presence all over town of the American Red Cross volunteers.  I pulled my car to the shoulder; saw a group of Red Cross First Aid volunteers standing ready to serve, and so I made my way over to greet them.

I learned that the town leaders had made a special request of the American Red Cross, asking us to provide as many of our First Aid volunteers as possible. The town had anticipated a large turnout of these spontaneous volunteers, as well as the subsequent injuries, abrasions, puncture wounds and cuts that would come as a result – and boy did they come.

By 10 AM the fixed location for our First Aid volunteers had already attended to and treated a dozen minor first aid requests, while the “on-foot” First Aid volunteers could barely walk half a block before being stopped by someone needing attention for minor treatment.

Our volunteers come from varying walks of life – Brian has been a Registered Nurse for just two months; a doctor gives his annual vacation leave for service through the American Red Cross; Maggie has been serving the American public through the American Red Cross since Hurricane Katrina in honor of her husband who passed away.

These volunteers inspired me – they made an impact upon me – they reminded me of why I have come to know the American Red Cross to be one of the greatest humanitarian organizations in the world.  I marvel over how excellence in Health and Safety training, followed by a commitment to help people prepare for, prevent and respond to disaster, along with great care, compassion and a hug, can bring a town very needed hope.

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Update from the Field: East Georgia Red Cross on the front lines of Hurricane Irene Disaster Relief


Jeff Taylor, Executive Director of East Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross is currently on the front lines of the Hurricane Irene aftermath in upstate New York. For daily updates from the field, follow Jeff on Facebook at Red Cross East Georgia and on Twitter @RedCrossEastGA or @taylorjeff7.

Thank you to our volunteers and donors--you are the lifeline of our organization.