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Like Daughter, Like Mother
A mother and daughter from Tennessee grow closer by becoming Red Cross volunteers.
By Michelle Lemieux, Director of Communications and Government Relations, American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey
Friday, February 15, 2008 — Daughters sometimes follow in their mother’s footsteps. In Hickman County, Tennessee, one mother is following in her daughter’s.
Mother-Daughter Team Jeanne Beasley (standing) and Jeannetta Hitt (seated) at a Red Cross Service Center in Centerville, Tennessee.
(Photo: Sandi Loftis/ American Red Cross)
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When Jeannetta Hitt read a Red Cross pamphlet on emergency preparedness from her local church, it made her realize how ill-prepared she would be if disaster struck. She immediately decided to become more prepared, but not without getting her mother involved first.
“I wasn’t sure I was prepared and I thought I could help others,” said Hitt. “I managed people at my job and I had to be prepared to help them, too.”
Jeannetta encouraged her mother, Jeanne Beasley, to take Red Cross training with her at the Hickman County Chapter. Since taking the training, the two have been responding tto local disasters for the past six years.
“My favorite part is all the wonderful people we get to work with,” said Beasley.
Responding Together
Jeanne is the captain of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) for her chapter, and Jeannetta is a team member. DAT teams respond to emergencies of all sizes to help keep communities safe. In Hickman County, Jeannetta and Jeanne’s chapter averages about 25 local disasters a year, including home fires and straight-line winds. That number will likely increase as the community continues to grow.
The work of this mother-daughter team doesn’t end with disaster relief and response. They both also teach Red Cross babysitting courses in Hickman, Davidson, Dickman and Murray counties.
“We love working together,” said Hitt. “We know what the other is thinking and what the other likes, which makes it so enjoyable.”
The Tennessee tornadoes are the first major national disaster the two have worked on so far.
“We are learning so much just by being here every day,” said Hitt.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
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