Timothy Wittrock organizing clean up supplies.
By Isabel Anderson, Regional Communications Manager
As Burns, OR residents start the clean-up process amid a historic flood, we have opened a distribution site that is open from 9am-4pm daily at 320 Snow Mountain Pine Lane, Hines, OR. Rakes, brooms, mops, gloves, among other clean up tools, are available to all of those impacted by the floods.
It takes a village to help with disaster – literally. Timothy Wittrock is in town taking care of his grandmother and when he heard that the Red Cross was on site and needed help, he jumped into action.
He’s part of the team that was able to supply over 600 clean up products in the first day of the site opening. He says, “I feel like a lot of times in situations like this, people really have no idea what to do, they lost everything, they’re in shock, the emotions are running extremely high. It’s helpful for them to feel like there is someone behind them, being able to pick up all the pieces that they might not understand.” His compassion and empathy, common traits among Burns residents, fuel his drive to help any and all of those affected.
Timothy is not the only community member who has stepped up to help. Erin Moss, a preschool teacher and long-term resident, knows many of the families in the area. Her reason to help is simple: “We take care of our own, that’s what we do”. She explains further, “Lots of families are coming in and getting stuff for their neighbors. Blocks are taking care of their own blocks. That’s a testament to Harney County.”
The first day that the site was open, 66 families were served and Red Cross volunteers handed out 85 clean up kits. The second day, our numbers nearly tripled and we served another 180 households and handed out 170 clean up kits. That said, our work is not done and we will stay in Harney County for as long as our resources are needed.
While recovering from disaster does take a village, it also takes financial help. If you want to help make a financial contribution to support Red Cross disaster relief, please visit redcross.org/cascades, text “RedCross” to 90999, or call 1-800-RedCross to donate.
Erin Moss and a former preschool student who arrived to pick up supplies.
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