New Jersey volunteer Julie Siciliano, pictured here during her deployment as a shelter manager in Ashville following Hurricane Helene.
By Volunteer Shea Gallagher
In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and made its way up the East Coast, leaving in its wake a trail of destruction and devastation. Western North Carolina was battered with historic rainfall, floods, and mudslides. Within days, the American Red Cross deployed hundreds of volunteers to open shelters, provide mental health support, and deliver emergency supplies to those in heavily affected areas.
For the people of Asheville, North Carolina, relief efforts were indispensable. Red Crossers arrived from all over the country with the organization’s mission in mind: to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. The Red Cross provides life-saving resources and support, but its volunteers provide much more than that: humanity. One of the volunteers who answered the call to serve was Julie Siciliano.
“Volunteers are the heart of the American Red Cross,” said Rosie Taravella, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “Julie’s dedication, compassion, and kindness epitomizes the spirit of the Red Cross.”
Julie comes from a family of people devoted to helping others. Her grandmother transcribed documents into braille for the Red Cross, and her mother was recognized for her work at Morristown Memorial Hospital. It should come as no surprise that Julie followed in their footsteps, dedicating her life to the betterment of others.
Julie’s own journey with the Red Cross began 22 years ago, after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. As the country mourned, thousands of people united in rescue and rebuilding efforts, and Julie felt the call. Julie and her son went to donate blood, joining a line that was already miles long. A week later, Julie was at the Red Cross open house to find out what she could do to help.
Now, after more than 20 years of service to the Red Cross, Julie continues to provide critical aid and leadership in times of disaster. During the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Julie deployed to Asheville, serving as sheltering lead. Upon arrival, she was faced with a community in shambles: no power, heavily damaged infrastructure, and countless people in need of help.
Julie and her team set up shelter in a gym and got to work. Within days, plumbers and electricians restored essential services like showers and laundry equipment, allowing Red Cross volunteers to begin providing relief and support to those displaced by the hurricane. Julie and her team worked tirelessly, ensuring the shelter was a place of safety and comfort amidst the devastation. With essential services restored, they provided meals, supplies, and emotional support to those who had lost so much.
While the Red Cross provides life-saving support, Julie gets to see first-hand the impact that small moments of care and comfort can have on a person. One of these individuals was Kimberly, a woman Julie met in Asheville, who had been driving around for days, seeking shelter, but facing rejection everywhere she went.
In the back of Kimberly’s car was her 26-year-old son, who has significant disabilities, and who required constant care and attention, making their displacement even more challenging. When Kimberly happened upon the Red Cross shelter, she was hesitant to accept support after facing so much rejection over the past few days. It was Julie who convinced her that there was a place for her with the Red Cross. Not only did Kimberly finally find shelter, but Julie and her fellow volunteers ensured they were comfortable there, including finding an isolated room for them, as the young man had been struggling with the noise level in the shelter after an incredibly stressful few days.
While the Red Crossers worked tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of those hit hardest by Hurricane Helene, members of the Asheville community were eager to help. Julie recalls that volunteers from the community were coming into the shelter, asking for ways that they could lend a hand. In response, Julie had a unique request. As she had worked with Kimberly and her son, Kimberly mentioned that he loved to rock in a rocking chair. Within half an hour of Julie putting out her request for one, a rocking chair arrived at the Red Cross shelter. In a time of turmoil, Kimberly and her son were offered a small bit of respite, one that made a world of difference.
“You don’t have to change the world, all you have to do is make a difference in one person’s life.” - Julie Siciliano
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