Cortland Volunteers Assist Tornado Victims

Health Services Disaster Volunteer, Shirley Smith, LPN, was deployed Sunday, May 11, 2003, to Kansas City, KS, to be assisting families and individuals suffering losses due to the rash of tornado activity that has devastated parts of the Midwest. Shirley is the fifth volunteer sent to the Midwest to help from the Cortland County Chapter of the American Red Cross of Cortland County. This is Shirley’s second National Disaster Assignment.

On May 10, the American Red Cross of Cortland County deployed seasoned Mass Care disaster volunteers Donald and Donna Jennison of Marathon, NY and novice Family Services disaster volunteers, Timothy and Sue Rudd of Lisle, NY for a three week commitment to help victims in Oklahoma City, OK.

The Jennison’s will help provide mass care to victims and emergency relief workers in the tornado stricken area. Mass care could include food, shelter or bulk distribution. This will be the Rudd’s first assignment on a National Disaster operation. They will be working with individuals and families to address their disaster caused needs inflicted by this cruel force of nature. Obtaining information, verifying information and providing direct assistance to families and individuals or referring the victims to the appropriate agencies which are in place to respond to the family or individual’s need.

All Red Cross Disaster Assistance is free and is an outright gift from the American people. Any one can help assist victims of this and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. For more information you may contact your local Red Cross at 753-1182.