Written by Tiffany Gonzalez, Public Affairs

When disaster strikes, American Red Cross volunteers are ready to travel wherever they are needed, even thousands of miles from home.

Elnita Barnett, a Red Cross volunteer from West Palm Beach, recently deployed to Guam to support families recovering from Super Typhoon Bavi. Serving as a Recovery/Bridge Assistance caseworker, Elnita worked directly with residents to help connect them with resources and support as they began moving forward after the storm.

This was Elnita’s second deployment to Guam, after previously traveling to the island to assist with recovery efforts following Typhoon Mawar.

During her recent deployment, Elnita and a fellow Red Cross volunteer also traveled into the community to conduct home visits, assisting residents who were physically unable to visit a Red Cross service location.

“There were so many needs. It was a privilege to be able to go and help the families that we could help,” Elnita said. “They were very appreciative and they realized that we sacrifice our home lives to come and help.”

For Elnita, the deployment was about more than providing assistance. It was also about being there for people during an incredibly difficult moment.

“It was a blessing to be able to go and experience the gratitude and hospitality of residents of Guam and to help them recover once again during one of the worst times of their lives,” she said.

Elnita’s deployment is one example of how Red Cross volunteers from South Florida step up to support communities near and far when help is needed most.