I’m so glad that God sent you to help me

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida’s “Big Bend” as a Category 3. Bringing a life-threatening storm surge, major flooding and wind damage to the region, the storm has affected several counties in Florida in Georgia. This became Richard’s opportunity to make a difference. 

Since landfall, more than 700 Red Cross disaster workers have provided comfort, support and relief to people impacted by Idalia. With the help of partners, the Red Cross has provided more than 209,000 meals and snacks and we’ve assessed damage in several counties.

The Red Cross currently has volunteers on the ground in affected areas, dedicated to conducting detailed damage assessments. Using cutting-edge technology that deploys advanced mapping and detailed demographics, teams are working diligently to locate and survey heavily damaged homes in the affected areas. Once damage is assessed, the Red Cross may be able to provide additional resources through recovery casework. 

One of the volunteers deployed for Idalia focusing on damage assessment is Judy Giacomino from Verona, Wisconsin. Judy traveled a long way to North Florida to be a part of the disaster response operation. She is working with our Damage Assessment Unit as a supervisor, where she is accessing hard-hit neighborhoods, going door-to-door and surveying homes and their damages, in order to determine the needs of each community. Once these factors are analyzed, it gives the organization a better understanding of the assistance required. 

While out in the field, Judy had an unusual encounter with a resident of Valdosta. A man waved at her from his screen door as she was surveying his neighborhood and when she approached him, he was in tears and told her he couldn’t reach anyone and that he was running out of oxygen and needed help. Judy, ready to help, replied saying “certainly, let me call 911.” Moments later, an ambulance showed up to the residence and took the man to the nearest hospital, for which he was incredibly grateful.

His last words to her before getting into the ambulance were “I’m so glad that God sent you to help me.” 

If you also want to experience your first deployment with the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to sign up for opportunities with your local chapter. Our most-needed disaster positions include supporting shelters and providing health services. 

Written by Dariana Molina