By Jerrica Williams

When disaster strikes, shelter workers are often the first source of comfort, stability and safety for families who’ve lost everything. American Red Cross disaster volunteers like Tom Fortney are living proof that one person’s commitment can make a lasting impact, not only on the lives of disaster survivors, but on the volunteers themselves.

Tom first joined the Red Cross in November 2016, moved to action by a devastating wildfire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee just an hour and a half from his home. After seeing Kristin Rice, a local Red Cross leader recruiting volunteers on the news, Tom didn’t hesitate. “I called, took a couple of online classes, and was in a shelter the next morning,” he recalls. “It was an incredible experience—one of my most memorable deployments. My first drink of the water.”

Since then, Tom has worn many hats across various American Red Cross roles including Disaster Emergency Services, Disaster Assessment, Casework, Intake, Emergency Response Vehicle driver—but about five years ago, he found himself drawn back to where it all started: the shelter floor, where one-on-one connections matter most.

Most recently, Tom served as a regional shelter leader during the West Tennessee tornadoes in April 2025. From headquarters, he oversaw shelter operations, ensured proper use of registration systems and served as the vital link between shelter sites and other departments. His job was to make sure every need was covered, every client was accounted for and every shelter ran smoothly.

“Sheltering is hard work. You’re usually working 12-hour days on your feet. You get back to your hotel or staff shelter just in time to shower, sleep, and do it all again.” Tom admits.

But for Tom, the long hours come with long-lasting rewards. “You see it in the eyes of the children when they leave and hand you a picture they drew just for you. You feel it in the hugs from clients, sometimes just a thank-you as they walk out the door. I call every hug my paycheck for the day.”

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the American Red Cross. Without volunteers, there is no mission. Tom emphasizes that recruiting shelter volunteers is essential, not just for disaster response, but for rebuilding hope.

“As managers and supervisors, we have a responsibility to make sheltering a positive experience because when it is, those volunteers come back.”

For those worried about burnout, Tom offers a simple but wise piece of advice: "Do anything on your day off but wash clothes." He’s gone rafting, fishing, sightseeing, whatever it takes to recharge and return refreshed.

For more information on becoming an American Red Cross shelter volunteer, visit redcross.org/ShelterHeroesTN.