Rebecca Munoz was home sleeping after working nine straight days. Suddenly she was awakened by the sound of the tornado winds that damaged her mobile home and many others in Springdale, Arkansas.

She was grateful for the assistance she received from the Red Cross and felt she should do something to pay it forward.

“I really feel good because they have the resources you really need at a time like this,” Rebecca said. “Thank you so much for not only helping me, but the whole community.”

She said with the Red Cross assistance, she was able to get food and clothing for her family, as well as gasoline for her car.

“We lost a lot but we’re alive and that’s what is important. We’re alive and we’re here,” she said.

As for paying it forward, Rebecca got her opportunity when Red Cross caseworkers working with her neighbor had a problem – they didn’t speak Spanish and the neighbor didn’t speak English.

Rebecca stepped in and started translating her neighbor’s words, explaining to him how the Red Cross could help him. When their work was completed, one Red Cross volunteers thanked her for stepping in to help.

With a smile, she said, “It was my pleasure, it really was.”