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The American Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes, around the clock, 365 days a year. But our humanitarian work wouldn't be possible without our tireless volunteers, who constitute 97 percent of our total work force. Nearly 50,000 responded to the September 11 tragedy. Thousands still remain on the scene, and will remain there as long as there is a need.
Red Cross "everyday heroes" come from all walks of life and from all age groups. Everyone has something special to offer and everyone has an inspiring story to tell. There are many faces of service, and these are their stories.
Unique Volunteer Provides Spiritual Care to WTC Victims
Written by Susan Kessler, Public Affairs Staff Writer
New York, February 20, 2002—Faces light up as the tall nun sweeps into the Family Assistance Center at Pier 94 in midtown Manhattan, the long black robes of her habit billowing behind her as she glides among grief-stricken families.
Sister Max works at the Family Assistance Center, located at Pier 94 in Manhattan.
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She searches the eyes of people who still long for a loved one to come home from the rubble of the twin towers destroyed by terrorists on September 11th. Instinctively she is able to spot those who aren't yet ready to talk, those who are, and those who simply need a comforting embrace.
She shares a word here, gives a hug there, and radiates hope and sympathy to others around her.
Sister Maxime Kehagias, American Red Cross volunteer, has arrived for another day of providing much-needed comfort.
"These people feel as if they are in a wilderness," Sister Max reflects. "They're lost, confused, tired and in pain. Some of what we do here is just provide an oasis in the wilderness for them."
The "oasis" is a vast, carpeted pier that has been converted into a place where families who have lost loved ones, homes, jobs and peace of mind can come to seek assistance. As a vast army of aid agencies work to meet the temporal needs of WTC disaster victims and their families — food, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, funeral expenses and much more — Sister Max and her corps of chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support to those who seek it.
Families in mourning may need grief counseling for years to come.
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"Sometimes I don't even mention God," she muses, "but they are in the presence of God whether they know it or not. They are not alone."
Even though her distinctive garb advertises her profession, Sister Max's approach to people is often a simple question of "How can I help you?" rather than an overt invitation to discuss spiritual issues.
Sister Max was a graduate student working on a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature when she found she could no longer ignore the church's calling. Since then she has earned a Master's Degree in Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Mass. Her monastery, located in Thebes, Greece, is The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
"Many Eastern Orthodox Christians were among the victims," says Sister Max, "but the scope of this tragedy goes beyond any denomination or group. It has affected the world."
"When I saw on the television what was happening, I prayed 'Lord, have mercy' over and over. I cried. I realized I was witnessing murder."
Red Cross volunteers like Sister Max will offer spiritual care as long as it is needed.
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Sister Max and other chaplains at the Family Assistance Center are members of the Spiritual Care Team — a component of any Red Cross disaster relief operation involving an airplane disaster. They provide interdenominational spiritual counseling for people of all faiths who request it.
"I'll stay here as long as I'm needed," she says. "I've met some wonderful people, victims as well as other relief workers. There's a lot of love among the staff as we all work to help these people. "
In the meantime, Sister Max continues to make her rounds, robes billowing and veil framing her serene face, as she tends the oasis in the wilderness and provides a refuge for all those who seek shade.
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All American Red Cross disaster assistance is provided at no cost, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. To help the victims of disaster, you may make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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