early wake up call.

(below are photos i snapped bright and early on saturday morning)

saturday i got a call at 4am saying we had an apartment fire.
those two words we dont like to hear at the red cross.
they usually arent good.
i hate to see families go through any fire, but to see multiple families going trough it at the same time is even more heart breaking.
the destruction of fires is always scary and leaves me speechless.
the most amazing thing is that we have volunteers on our disaster action team who go out to these fires 24-7.
i am always humbled by the experience of seeing what the red cross does in the field for people.
they are always so helpless and hopeless at first. they then leave our emergency response vehicle (erv) appreciative and usually have at least a tiny glimmer of hope in their eyes. what our volunteers offer is more than the material things, like the blankets, clothes, food and shelter, its the comfort and care, the hugs, hope and peace.
i am always proud of what i do when i leave. i am always proud to have that red cross on my chest.

and now for my pr shpiel:

The Red Cross depends on the generous support of Omaha metro residents to respond to our neighbors who are affected by home fires. You can help the Red Cross continue to be ready to respond and help fire victims by making a financial contribution to Heartland Chapter today. To make a financial donation, visit www.redcrossomaha.org, call 402.343.7700, or mail a check to 2912 S. 80th Ave, Omaha, NE 68124. For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information visit www.redcross.org/homefires.