The experience has already turned out to be one that I will never forget! Working with the American Red Cross has been nothing short of amazing and a lot of new knowledge! Did you know that the American Red Cross has five lines of service? They are Disaster Relief, or helping out after a home fire, tornado, or even hurricanes. Blood Services, which are blood drives and assisting hospitals with clean blood for transfusions. Service to the Armed Forces, or helping soldiers and their families. Training and Certification, or teaching classes like Hands-only CPR. And finally, International Services, or helping other countries with their Red Crosses, or going to countries that don’t have an established branch set up yet.
I have had the honor of being part of the Disaster Action Team, or DAT for short. This team is responsible for helping out with local disasters; mainly being home fires and tornados for Indiana. I had gone out and helped someone whose house had burned down early in the morning. The fact that a majority, if not all of their stuff had burned up and that their life was now in a whirlwind made me so surprised at how kind and straightforward this person was with us three responders. The idea of compassion and caring that the other two senior responders showed was amazing to see, and I hope that I can be even a fifth of their compassionate selves they were when they were helping this client.
This past weekend, I also got to work with another branch of the American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces. Four of us woke up early Sunday morning to help assist with canteening and being a community partner with Leon’s Triathlon. Leon’s Triathlon is dedicated to allowing veterans with disabilities to compete in a triathlon. This experience was extremely humbling, as someone who has all parts of their body working, it was amazing watching people push themselves so hard to compete in this race with an arm or leg missing. It helped me put my problems and complaints into perspective. Whatever I am going through, it is nothing nearly as bad as losing an arm or leg and forcing yourself to live with a limb missing.
In the coming weeks, I also have the opportunity to help with teaching fire preparedness with two programs: the Prepare with Pedro hazard program, and the Pillowcase Project. Both of these help is K-2 and 3-5 respectively, about bringing information back home to family about how to be safe in case a fire starts in the home.
Every day at the office always has me excited to see what the plans are going to be, and to see who might need some extra help. Thanks again to both CAPS and the American Red Cross for allowing me to work in so many different aspects! I’m so excited to see what the rest of the summer holds!
– Adam Monnette, American Red Cross