Red Cross provides aid to Georgians affected by Hurricane Helene

Inside the American Red Cross of Georgia’s temporary storm headquarters off of Eisenhower Parkway, dozens of volunteers and staff members are hard at work, each playing a key role in coordinating aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

“The heartbeat of the operation is right here,” Suzanne Lawler, the regional communications manager for the Red Cross of Georgia told The Melody.

Pallets of non-perishable foods and drinks brought from Red Cross warehouses or provided by community partners wait to be distributed to those left without power and water in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

“These are boxes here,” Lawler said, “but what we’re delivering is comfort and hope,”

The Red Cross doesn’t just provide food. One pallet holds dozens of “cleaning kits” — each one a white bucket containing a retractable mop, sponge, cleaning solution and gloves. The organization also gives out comfort kits for individuals who have lost their homes in a fire. Each kit contains a toothbrush, washcloth and blanket.

Although relatively basic, those kits sometimes end up being the only thing a person has, explained Lawler, who recalled someone once telling her the comfort kit was the first thing they owned after losing everything in a disaster.

In the parking lot, a volunteer loads a pallet of water bottle cases into a Red Cross emergency response vehicle. This vehicle will deliver supplies and resources to an area in need or one of several temporary shelters throughout the state. There are currently 10 shelters in Georgia providing 500 people with a place to sleep.

The emergency response vehicles are able to provide resources to people who are unable to reach shelters, Lawler said. 

Volunteers help with all aspects of aid relief and many come from all over the country to help in times of disaster. 

Kevin West’s volunteer work began in California shortly after his retirement nine years ago. Since then, he has moved to Georgia, and his most recent effort with the Red Cross involves helping out with logistics at the storm headquarters in Macon.

West has volunteered with the American Red Cross in the aftermath of forest fires, hurricanes and floods. His work has brought him to all kinds of places, including Maui and Puerto Rico. 

“Call me a Red Cross junkie,” West said. “I just enjoy helping people.”

Folks seeking shelter or looking for aid can download the American Red Cross’s Emergency: Severe Weather app to locate the closest shelter in Georgia. The app can also provide alerts for hurricanes, winds and other weather-related emergencies and can also sound alarms to help rescuers find individuals.

Those affected or individuals interested in providing volunteer time, money or blood donations can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcross.org.