What a big day and so happy we could do our little part in volunteering for the Red Cross - what an experience. We were up early and out the door at 6:25. Decided to have breakfast at the European and American Bakery Cafe which was less than a mile from our Red Cross site. We got there just before 7 and along with 3 other guys, opened promptly at 7 and we all trooped in. Love their breakfasts and by 7:40, we were on our way to Chicos Corporate Headquarters.
This place is ginormous with 10 buildings along with the offices for Soma and Black and White Market. HUGE area that had a HUGE parking area in the back where the Red Cross took over. We had a brief meeting of around 60 going over the day's schedule, problems with yesterday's food run, suggestions, complaints, etc., etc. Also recognizing those folks if today was their last day after a 2-week stint. And welcoming the new drivers/volunteers Have such admiration for those working as part of the catastrophe team (2 weeks with 1 day off and many days they work 12 hours.)
I met Jerry and Eliza from Hutchinson Island (on the east coast near Stuart and originally from Spokane, WA) After getting all our food, water and other supplies loaded up we were off to a very desolate area but where workers are staying in small cabins. They are working during the day but come back here for meals and lodging. We just left 26 meals here (4 vegetarian). Next stop was Orange Harbor Mobile Home Park (and RV's). What a SAD place of every street and home having sooo much debris - badly damaged homes and all their belongings on the street. Jerry spoke thru a microphone as he drove up and down the streets announcing the Red Cross was here for a hot meal -" today we have chicken teriyaki with rice, corn and a roll. Also a snack (chips or Oreo cookies) and water if they want it. Eliza and I served the food in cardboard containers (clam shells) lined with foil. We kept busy as the people walked up to our open window requesting whatever # they needed (largest order was for 8). A bunch of workers were there from Kansas/Nebraska cat team wearing their yellow shirts - and everywhere we went, the folks were all sooo appreciative of our being there with big thanks for this hot meal. We served 82 at Orange Harbor So many residents here do not have a livable home, so were not there.
Mark was near Fort Myers Beach in 2 subdivisions that were devastated along with their stuff....he was with 2 guys (Madison, WI and Augusta, GA). Mark and his crew served 135.
We returned to Chicos and emptied out our vans - unfortunately, lots of food is wasted as it's hard to know how much will be needed (day to day, the #'s are different). I said my good byes to Jerry and Eliza and waited for Mark who rolled in about 15 minutes later.
We were hot and tired but it felt good to have done a "little" something for these folks CHEERS to all the many many guys and gals who stay at Chicos and do all the loading and unloading in the hot sun hour after hour. It was 94 today.
The Red Cross has so many different areas......we were just the "fixed feed" part of it all. There were 23 different locations for today's delivery (then another crew comes in or same group working double shift) to deliver evening meal (BBQ pork, etc.)
We stopped at Culver's for some ice cream and on home at 3:40.
Shortly after we started on our route this morning, I got a text from our friend, Brenda (she and Mark just arrived 2 days ago from New Philadelphia, OH). They have a brand new park model home. Brenda wrote that she was at the hospital as Mark had a heart attack. OH NOOO....what a shock. He was waiting for a heart cath. Mark and I visited Mark and Brenda at their home in July. When we returned to Chicos and were done for the day, I texted Brenda to see if we could do ANYTHING, (she knew we were helping the Red Cross). Friends had driven down from Sarasota to be with her. Mark was still waiting for his heart cath - many hours later....😟🙏
We plan to volunteer again on the 10th.
No comments:
Post a Comment