By Christopher Quinn, Communications Volunteer

Christine Nelson’s life crashed to standstill on Christmas Day in 2024. A backyard fire burning leaves and freshly torn gift-wrapping paper suddenly spread to a shed, then to the family's recreational vehicle, before leaping to their two-story home.

In the smoldering aftermath, Nelson stood crying, stunned and not knowing what to do next. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department did. A firefighter phoned the American Red Cross of Georgia, which quickly deployed a Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer. DAT members help families find shelter and food, replace medications, offer emotional and spiritual support, along with recovery assistance. Her volunteer even brought stuffed animals for Nelson’s five children.

On this day, Nelson shared her story at a gathering of firefighters, an Atlanta City councilman, Red Cross staff members and members of the Red Cross of Georgia’s Tiffany Circle, a key group of supporters who help make services such as the Disaster Action Teams possible. Tiffany Circle members give their time, talents and treasure to the Red Cross and its mission. The Tiffany Circle helps provide the connections between communities and community members who need help.

City Councilman Byron Amos thanked those gathered at Atlanta’s Fire Rescue Station 1 and told them that he remembered those who came when an Atlanta neighborhood flooded 2003.

“Who showed up?” he asked the crowd. “Atlanta Fire Department did. And the Red Cross. I know firsthand what you guys and ladies do for the city of Atlanta.”

Susie Trotochaud, a founding member of the Red Cross of Georgia’s Tiffany Circle, organized the event and luncheon to thank Atlanta Fire Rescue for its service and to give Tiffany Circle members a firsthand look at the kind of work and services they were supporting.

“This is what your money goes to. And this is what the Red Cross is out there doing every day,” Trotochaud said.

Since its founding in 2007, the Tiffany Circle has grown to nearly 1,300 members nationwide and raised over $250 million in support of the Red Cross mission.

Battalion Chief Michael Roman gave attendees a tour of Station 1 and a peek into the life of firefighters, showing them the kitchen, bunk room and the working bays. “We cover everything” from massive disasters to a cat stuck in a tree.

“And it never stops,” he said.

Fire and rescue workers hefted rescue tools, such as the Jaws of Life and fire hoses, allowing visitors gauge the weight of their gear.

Meredith Sidewater, a Tiffany Circle member, hefted a single length of heavily woven fire hose on her shoulder and reported it to be about 25 pounds.

Some members tried on firefighters’ heavy coats and helmets. A fully laden firefighter wading into a burning home can weigh north of 300 pounds, Roman told his visitors.

Home fires are the disaster the Red Cross responds to most across the country. In 2024, the Red Cross of Georgia responded to over 2,430 single and multifamily home fires across the state. Additionally, more than 4,070 families were assisted because of those disasters.

Nelson, who is still working her way through the insurance process to rebuild her home, said the Red Cross volunteer was instrumental in getting the family back on its feet.

He helped her compile a list of who to call, what steps needed to be taken, and he helped her gain a better understanding of the situation.

“He said, ‘Calm down. Remember, you’re momma,’” she said. He reminded her that the kids would be looking to her as an example of how to react to this trial.

“Without the Red Cross, I don’t know where I would be,” Nelson said. “(The children) still talk about that guy. They say, ‘Momma, you stopped crying when that man came.’”

Alicia Doherty, CEO of the Red Cross of Georgia, which serves about 10 million people, addressed the gathering, noting the critical nature of cooperation between fire departments, community organizations and support groups in getting help to people in need.

The Red Cross can respond only when they get those initial calls from fire departments or the people impacted.

“And it takes money to be able to deliver our mission. We can’t do it without you,” she told Tiffany Circle members.

To learn more about home fire safety visit this Red Cross website.