By Bill Brent, Disaster Public Affairs
Teresa Crawford, St. Charles MO resident, displaced from her home and caring for her adopted 5- year old grandson. The two of them lost everything and Teresa admits it can all be a bit overwhelming at times.
Not certain of the official start time of the St. Charles Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) Teresa was the first to arrive, 3-hours before the official opening. It was quickly determined by the Red Cross damage assessment team that Teresa home had sustained major damage and her journey through the MARC began.
Teresa met with the Red Cross case managers and received assistance for she and her grandson. Over the next several hours Teresa met with more than 20 Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) partner organizations including, the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Catholic Charites, and many others.
During a brief conversation between agency visits; Teresa shares, “Now I am overwhelmed by the generosity and blessings in this room, this is exactly what I needed.” As Teresa parted every organizations table, she shook their hand, or hugged the person helping her and thanked them profusely.
“I am blessed, this event is a blessing, and you all are a blessing, thank you, thank you, thank you,” Teresa expressed to Red Cross executive director, Mary Jane Thomsen and Shelia Reed, American Red Cross Volunteer of the Year, before she drove away.