There's something truly remarkable about watching thousands of American Red Cross responders leave the comfort of their homes to assist communities after disaster strikes. But when those helping are also members of the affected community, their commitment becomes even more inspiring.

Local volunteers bring a unique emotional connection to disaster responses in their own communities. When a storm like Hurricane Helene strikes, it can reshape their familiar landscapes in an instant—destroying roads, and bridges, and altering the terrain around rivers and streams. Homes and properties are devastated for miles.

For those whose own backyards have been transformed, the journey to recovery is deeply personal. They understand that rebuilding will take time, but it all begins with that crucial first step: helping neighbors who are unsure of where to turn next."

For this reason, it is important to extend a “thank you” to local Red Cross volunteers like Janice Thomas from Sneedville, Tennessee. She is one of 70 local volunteers who put on her Red Cross vest and got to work. Normally, Janice volunteers as a Disaster Action Team volunteer and provides services to people who’ve experienced a house fire. She never thought she’d be needed to work in a shelter but that changed when Hurricane Helene touched down.

“I was grateful that all we lost was power.  We didn’t lose our possessions or family members like so many people did,” says Thomas.

 As she contemplated deploying, her husband told her, “You’ll be sitting in the dark here or there. So, go help somebody. “

So, she did. Janice deployed as a shelter worker at the Hunter Baptist Church in Elizabethton. She came to know the evacuees by name, learned their stories and was moved by the willingness of the Red Cross and church members to help.

“People were hurting and they needed care. They needed someone to hold their hand and pray with them. People need people.”

Janice spent a week at the shelter with her team and then headed back to her home in Sneedville.

When asked if she’d do it again, she didn’t hesitate to share, “I would. I would in a heartbeat.”

Over 100 new local volunteers signed up to become American Red Cross disaster responders following the destruction of Hurricane Helene. If you’d like to learn more about how you can help during disasters, visit RedCross.org/volunteer.