When a powerful winter storm swept across the Midwest to the Southeast and East Coast, Ola Alshabib and her husband, Abdul Nasser, knew they had to act quickly to keep their family safe. With snow and freezing temperatures making it difficult to stay at home following the loss of power, the couple gathered their two children Owne, 4, and Eli, 7 and made their way to the Nashville Fairgrounds in search of shelter.

Ola and her family were the first to arrive at the shelter, where American Red Cross volunteers were already on site, ready to help.

Throughout their stay, Ola and her family were surrounded by the care they needed to feel supported. A warm place to sleep helped bring stability during an uncertain time, but shared meals became especially meaningful. Thoughtful attention was given to the family’s dietary needs, ensuring food that aligned with their halal traditions. Recognizing the emotional toll displacement can take on children, the family was also given a private area to sleep along with games and activities that offered moments of normalcy and joy amid the disruption.

For Ola, the sense of safety made all the difference.

“We feel comfortable; we don’t feel any fear,” she said. “I’m really thankful for them, [Red Cross volunteers] who did a lot for my family.”

During this winter storm, the American Red Cross of Tennessee, alongside community partners, opened more than 20 shelters and warming centers across affected areas of Tennessee. These locations offered residents a safe place to stay, hot meals and support from disaster-trained volunteers around the clock.

As communities continue to recover, volunteers remain committed to helping families prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters big and small.

To learn more about how the American Red Cross serves families during disasters—or how you can support this work—visit redcross.org/Tennessee.