By Ara Rexfod

At the Multi-Agency Resource Center in Frankfort, Kentucky, Amanda Ruff and other Red Cross volunteers joined forces with the Franklin County Health Department and other local agencies to provide comfort and critical support to Kentuckians recovering from devastating early April flooding.

These resource centers offer those in disaster-affected communities in-person help applying for assistance, receiving cleanup supplies, and connecting with recovery resources. Red Cross teams on-site explain available financial assistance programs and provide essentials such as snacks, water, and self-heating meals.

Amanda, a disaster cycle services volunteer from Columbus, Ohio, is among the 90% of the Red Cross workforce comprised of volunteers. She exemplifies the Red Cross mission: to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies through the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Amanda’s Red Cross journey started close to home. “There was an apartment fire down my block, and the Red Cross came to help,” she recalled. “I was so impressed. I asked, ‘How do you do this?” She signed up with the Greater Columbus Chapter and soon found herself deployed to Tampa, Florida, in the fall of 2024 as part of the Hurricane Milton response.

“It’s a match made in heaven,” said Amanda. “Everything I’ve ever wanted to do—serving others—the Red Cross makes it possible.”

Amanda originally deployed to Eastern Kentucky in March to help after February’s flooding, but when new storms impacted the rest of the state in April, she extended her stay through May. “My grandparents are from Whitley County—Corbin, Williamsburg—so these folks feel like family,” she said.

While she typically drives Emergency Response Vehicles, working at the resource center has been deeply rewarding. “For many people, this is their first real conversation about what happens next,” Amanda explained. “I tell them, ‘You’ve made it this far—you’re in recovery. That’s something to be proud of.’”

The local community stepped up as well, spreading the word about the center and helping each other. “This is a powerful example of what community resilience looks like,” said Amanda. “It’s what being tough as oak trees really means.”

Get Involved

Whether responding to disasters, donating blood, or helping communities prepare for emergencies, the Red Cross depends on compassionate people like Amanda and countless others. To support the mission, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. To volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer.