Jason Cimbolo served in the army for 8.5 years. He was one of the many veterans that were displaced after Hurricane Helene.
Prior to the storm, he was housed with other veterans in at the Asheville Buncombe Christian Community Ministries (ABCCM).
“We woke up at around 6:30, and the police came by talking about evacuating,” Jason said. “They sent me down to the kitchen to make a bunch of bag lunches in case, so we have food when we're out.”
He explained only about 100 lunches were made, and they planned for 400.
“They said ‘Get out! We got to go!” Jason said. “The surge was coming, and we got on the last bus at I think it was about maybe 9:00 in the morning. They took us to the civic center and then brought us here to the Red Cross shelter.”
While seeking refuge from the storm, Jason said the veterans were also trying to provide help and support to other people impacted as much as they could.
“Y’all have been awesome. Once you guys (Red Cross) got in here and got things rolling—the shelter was great, clothes for us, everything,” Jason explained. “You were welcoming, and I feel so good about the Red Cross. Now it’s time to rebuild our community and rebuild our VRQ (Veterans Restoration Quarters) the best way we can. I know so many people are without houses so we are also going to help the community as well.”
Jason added, service after service is what they do, and will always do for their communities.
“That’s why we signed up,” Jason said. “We don’t have perfect conditions, but we will still go out and help out.”
To learn more information how the American Red Cross supports our service members, veterans, and their families visit www.redcross.org/SAF
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