Official Blog of the American Red Cross Eastern New York Region

It’s been a rough year for the people of Texas. Numerous storms have ravaged the state, displacing thousands of families and destroying an unprecedented number of homes and businesses.

Red Cross volunteers from the Eastern New York Region have been deployed to support the people of Texas several times since last fall. Following the latest round of flooding in the Lone Star State, six of our own were sent out to join more than 400 Red Cross workers from across the country. Together, they have been providing shelter, meals, health services, emotional support and recovery resources to thousands of people impacted by more devastating floods in the hard-hit state of Texas.

Our local contingent of helpers includes the Executive Director of our Mohawk Valley Chapter, Mallory Scheve. As a disaster public affairs worker in the greater Houston area, Mallory has been capturing many of the real, human stories behind this massive disaster response:

 We are Stronger, by Mallory Scheve

Ana and her sister with Red Cross worker Mallory Scheve. The Red Cross visited their neighborhood in Conroe, TX to distribute clean-up kits, bottled water, meals and also provided emotional support and client casework. Photo credit: Jeff Strozer

Helping the Littlest Victims, by Mallory Scheve

Children’s Disaster Services volunteer Connie Rutt plays with 17 month-old Paige at a Red Cross shelter in Richmond, TX. Photo credit: Mallory Scheve/American Red Cross

Where the Rubber Meets the Road for the Red Cross, by Jennifer Heisler and Mallory Scheve

Red Cross ERVs (Emergency Response Vehicles) line up at a Red Cross kitchen in Rosenburg, TX to pick up meals to distribute in flood-affected communities. Photo credit: Mallory Scheve/American Red Cross

Caring Amidst Devastation, by Mallory Scheve

Steven & Vanessa Cantu meet with a Red Cross caseworker at the Red Cross office in Rosenburg, TX. Photo credit: Mallory Scheve/American Red Cross

On a beautiful day like today in Upstate New York, it can be hard to imagine what people across the state of Texas have been experiencing for many months now. These stories help to paint that picture, and the volunteers we’ve deployed from our region serve as a reminder of all that’s being done at this very moment to help people in need.

You can help the people of Texas by donating to Red Cross Texas Floods & Tornadoes. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from Texas floods and tornadoes. To learn more about volunteering with the American Red Cross, click here.