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Good to Know that Someone Cares
Written by
Vicky Brown with Natasha Neri
, Special to Redcross.org
Wednesday, September 28, 2005 — Topeka, Miss. – Eunice Rutland, 87, has lived in her house for 45 years and was one of the people who chose to stay at home when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast.
Eunice Rutland, 87, talks American Red Cross volunteer Vicky Brown in Rutland’s home of 45 years in Topeka, Miss., where the widow waited out the devastating Hurricane Katrina alone until Red Cross volunteers delivered food and relief supplies.
(Photo Credit: American Red Cross) |
From her house in the small town of Topeka, Miss., she watched, by herself, the destruction that Katrina’s winds and heavy rain brought to her community. When American Red Cross bulk distribution volunteers reached her house this week, she couldn’t hide her happiness.
“Red Cross was the first help I got after the hurricane hit,” she said. “They brought me food, cleaning supplies, water and a flash light. I really appreciate it.”
In the 45 years she's lived in home in Topeka, Rutland indicated that she had never seen anything like Hurricane Katrina.
“It was really bad. Trees were blowing outside,” said Rutland. In fact, a lot of trees fell down in her yard and her street was blocked. She had no phone for ten days and no electricity for more than two weeks.
With severe health problems, including arthritis, high blood pressure and macular degeneration, a common eye disease that causes deterioration of the central area of the retina, Rutland spent tough weeks without air conditioning and lights in her house. She couldn’t even step outside her house because of her poor health.
“All the food I had in the refrigerator went bad. I had been eating tuna and crackers,” she said. “I’m glad the Red Cross brought me food.”
Rutland indicated she feels lucky because her house was not destroyed by the hurricane. However, without lights or a flashlight, it was hard for her to get around. She says that the flash light that Red Cross volunteers gave to her really helped her.
A widow for 25 years, Rutland is used to living by herself but was grateful for the help from the Red Cross.
“I was so happy to see that the volunteers came to take care of me,” she said. “They were very sweet. It’s good to know that someone cares about you.”
Vicky Brown is a 25-year volunteer with the American Red Cross in Rockford, Ill., doing communication out of Montgomery, Ala, in response to Hurricane Katrina.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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