By Jamie Myers, Northwest Region

After long days supporting people impacted by wildfires across the Spokane area, American Red Cross volunteers received a special thank-you Wednesday evening from GESA Credit Union.

GESA sponsored a volunteer appreciation dinner at David’s Pizza in Spokane, bringing responders together for a meal during the ongoing disaster response.

“We support our local hero organizations,” a GESA Credit Union representative said, explaining that supporting those who step forward during times of crisis and disaster is an important focus for the credit union.

Around the tables were volunteers who had traveled from across the country to help:  Zoe from Alabama, Artemis from Texas, Vivian from Georgia, James from North Carolina, Sam from Ohio, Siobhan from New York, Cheryl from Michigan, Mark from Kansas and Rita from California.

They are among the 177 trained Red Cross responders currently assigned to the Spokane DR542 operation, with 138 serving on the ground and another 39 supporting the response virtually.

More than 418 Red Cross disaster responders have supported people impacted by the fires. Together, responders have served more than 13,733 meals and 14,331 snacks, distributed 51,846 emergency relief supplies to 3,744 households, and provided more than 1,678 overnight shelter stays.

For GESA, Wednesday’s dinner was a way to recognize the people behind those numbers.

“We know you are working around the clock to support the members of our community who have been impacted,” the GESA representative said. “It’s our way of saying thank you for what you’re doing and that we appreciate you.”

For responders who have spent their days helping people through evacuation, sheltering and recovery, the evening offered a chance to gather around a table together and a reminder that the community they came to support appreciates them, too.