After both Hurricanes Helene and Milton slammed into Florida, the American Red Cross mobilized hundreds of disaster volunteers to provide shelter and services to affected communities with emergency supplies such as food and other critical support.

One of those volunteers, Debbie Rohatsch traveled from Bakersfield, California to join the Red Cross disaster relief operation. As part of this operation, she focused on sheltering. Her role is to provide hot meals, care, and comfort to those residents staying in a Red Cross shelter. This is an immensely difficult time for many across Florida as people struggle to comprehend their new reality. Many have lost everything — their homes, their jobs, their vehicles and their belongings.

“You can’t help but feel like you want to do something,” she said. “When you see the destruction, and you realize that you’re in a capacity to help, then you do it.”

Since September, when evacuation centers and shelters were opened for Floridians, the Red Cross and their partners have provided more than 172,000 overnight stays and more than 744,800 meals and snacks. Additionally, more than 58,000 relief items including comfort kits and other supplies have been provided to households in need.

Rohatsch has deployed several times since joining the Red Cross almost four years ago. She points out that her focus is to be strong for those affected.

“It’s made an impact on my life and you meet people from all over the U.S. You bond with these people because you have a common mission,” says Rohatsch of her volunteer work with the Red Cross. If you want to make a difference in the lives of others, consider putting on a red vest and joining Red Cross.

Rohatsch states of her Red Cross journey that “you get way more back than you give.”

If you would like to help the Red Cross disaster response, visit redcross.org, or call 1-800-REDCROSS. To become a volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer to find out how you can