Chapter Sends Volunteers to NY and PA Floods

CONCORD - August 28, 2006 - School nurse and Red Cross volunteer, Judy Elliott, was planning a laid-back 4th of July weekend when the phone rang. The Concord Area Chapter of the Red Cross needed volunteers for devastating floods in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Within 24 hours, she was on her way to Binghamton, NY for a life-shaping 2 weeks as a Red Cross disaster volunteer.

Judy was one of five volunteers that the Chapter deployed to the flooding disaster Ð the most volunteers from any NH chapter. Four others, Peggy Bezanson, Helen Champa, Paul Groulx and Sue Bilodeau, went to Pennsylvania where they worked at several chapters on critical needs, government liaisons and client case work.

Although this was a major disaster with thousands of families affected, it received little national media attention. Nevertheless, stories of courage, crisis, and caring were everywhere. Judy heard many of them: one woman had to cross a fast moving, contaminated river holding her baby over her head; and numerous asthma and allergy sufferers were overcome with post-flood mold.

"I had to step out of my comfort zone and found I could survive, even thrive," Judy said. Dan Brennan, Director of Emergency Services for the Concord Area Chapter, noted that these volunteers sacrificed their family plans on a holiday weekend to help these communities. "Their work was critically needed and greatly appreciated," he said.

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