By Maria Sudekum
When Judy Houseman smelled smoke and noticed a small fire at her home in Drexel, Missouri, she was hopeful the blaze would be out quickly.
“It was a very nice February day … and very unexpected,” Houseman recalled. “And I felt, well, they were going to throw some water on it, and that would be that.”
Unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way.
“I pretty much lost everything in my house. I got out with just my bedroom slippers,” she shared. “I had no shoes. …I was pretty much in shock.”
After responding to the blaze, the Drexel Fire Department contacted the local American Red Cross. Two Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers showed up to help Houseman process what happened and navigate next steps.
“I wouldn’t have known about that. They were there pretty quickly,” she said. “I think they may have lived close by.” Houseman said the Red Cross volunteers made sure she had a safe place to stay, gave her a blanket and toiletries as well as financial assistance. Having escaped the fire with only the clothes she had on and her slippers, she was able to buy herself new clothes and shoes.
Houseman shared she is grateful for the help from the two Red Cross volunteers who showed up at her home and helped her start replacing what she lost.
While the house is still undergoing repairs, she has been able to stay with a nearby friend and her daughter.
“You know, if it had been 4:30 in the morning instead of 4:30 in the afternoon, I don’t know what would have happened,” Houseman reflected. “But I also have a great family and a lot of good friends.”
Red Cross volunteers respond to about 60,000 U.S. disasters each year, from floods to hurricanes and wildfires. But the most common disaster that Red Cross volunteers are called to are home fires. After a fire, the Red Cross works with local fire departments and other agencies to reach out to residents like Judy Houseman to help them find a safe place to stay, provide assistance for their immediate needs and comfort too.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Red Cross is able to provide these services at no cost to those in need. If you want to learn more about how you can help, please follow the links below.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!
