By Duhane Lindo, American Red Cross

Sometimes, need, talent and opportunity come together for good. That’s how newly minted American Red Cross volunteer Ryan Paris sees it.

Paris was between jobs and at home in Orlando when Hurricane Ian tore across Florida. He had studied meteorology in school and learned about natural disasters, “But this is the first time that I've had the opportunity to jump in and help.” 

He went online, signed up as a Red Cross volunteer and, as he proudly proclaimed from his post at a shelter near Orlando, “Now I'm here!” He’s “ready to work weekends, weekdays, whatever I can do to help.... because I really like this organization.”

When a person dons the distinctive red vest of a Red Cross volunteer, they join tens of thousands of others across the country, united in common cause to help those in need.

After just a few days as a volunteer, Paris found himself saying, “We are here to help” and “My cause.”

“Many people are very thankful that we are here to help. We provide a clean safe environment, beds, and meals to disaster victims. We even help with special needs,” Paris said. The volunteer experience gives him, “something to look forward to every day!”

And he’s discovered the generosity of spirit among the shelter residents as well. One, named Steve, pitched in to help every day, doing anything needed, from cleaning bathrooms, to mopping floors to helping serve meals. Paris appreciates that Steve “was helping other people, not just himself.”

Shelter manager Julie Kraus appreciated Paris’s eagerness and willingness to help.  “I know he’s just starting out, but I told him he had to stick with it because he’s the perfect Red Cross volunteer in the making,” said Kraus.  “Just an all-around good guy.” 

Paris is so enthusiastic about his new activity that he created a Facebook page, encouraging family and friends to donate to the Red Cross in lieu of gifts for his upcoming birthday, saying he wants to “raise money for my cause.”

The Red Cross expects its relief effort in Florida to be one of the lengthiest in recent memory and the need for volunteers is great.  To become a trained disaster volunteer, go to redcross.org/volunteer or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

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