(Pictured: Kerri Foley is a volunteer with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team.)

When people lost their  homes in a fire at a Lakewood apartment complex in July, the local chapter of the American Red Cross mobilized immediately to provide help and hope to the displaced residents. Red Cross volunteers set up individuals and families with overnight shelter for a safe place to stay, as well as meals, items of comfort, and community resources. 

Red Cross services like that are made possible by people like Kerri Foley. She has been with the Red Cross for about three years, serving as a Disaster Action Team volunteer.  

“I like to help people,” she said as she unloaded cots and other items for the Lakewood fire victims who were staying overnight in the Red Cross shelter. “This is just my way of giving back.”   

Every day, disasters force people from their homes. The Red Cross needs more people in Pierce, Thurston, and Kitsap counties to be volunteers and help local families cope with emergencies.  

Disaster Action Team (DAT) members respond day and night, most often in the aftermath of fires that threaten lives, destroy property, and displace entire families. While the work can be emotional and challenging, it’s also deeply rewarding, according to the Red Cross. A spokeswoman for the organization noted that volunteers provide support and assistance to people in their darkest moments. That helping hand includes emotional support, replacing prescription medications, financial assistance for food, clothing and temporary lodging, and other critically needed items or referrals. 

All required training for DAT is provided by the Red Cross free of charge. Information on how to get involved is at redcross.org.

Another example of the important role of volunteering is Kirby Engel, who has logged 3,360 hours of community service through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). He’s one of 135 volunteers who are helping various organizations in Pierce and Kitsap counties via the program administered locally by Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

“Our amazing volunteers have served 13,000 hours in the last 12 months alone,” said Rena Marken, supervisor of the program that pairs volunteers with schools, museums, medical providers, and food banks, among others.

One of the latter is the Tacoma-based Nourish Pierce County food banks, which hosted a ceremony Aug. 14 honoring Engel and five other RSVP participants who have individually racked up hours in the hundreds and thousands. Cheryl Fox and Jesme Fernando have 1,680 and 1,030 hours under their belts, respectively, Barbara Hadley has 469, Bruce Weathers has 383, and Carola Wittmann has 189.

The salute drew some dignitaries–Michael Smith, chief executive officer of AmeriCorps, the federal agency that supports volunteer programs like RSVP, and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, who praised the “incredible work” of the volunteers.

Information on RSVP is available at lcsnw.org and 253-722-5695.