The call for assistance went out on Thursday evening at 11 p.m. The next day, a team of Canadian Red Cross disaster management volunteers had gathered at the Edmonton Red Cross office – bags packed and ready to go.
Ernie Eves, Brent van Leeuwen, Sarah Flynn and Brenna Brown joined other relief teams in Calgary on Friday to assist the residents of Calgary and surrounding regions, who have been affected by severe flooding. The Canadian Red Cross is currently assisting in shelters and reception centres across the region, and providing blankets, cots and other basic necessities to thousands of evacuated residents.
The highly trained team is able to deploy in a variety of settings, but each response is different. “We are going with the unexpected in mind, but we are going prepared,” Ernie said.
And they all could agree on one thing – the decision to go wasn’t a hard one.
“I’m passionate about the work I do with the Red Cross and it’s nice to be able to help members of the community who are in need,” Brenna said. “I love seeing the power of humanity in action.”
Your help is needed.
Donate online to help communities affected by flooding in southern Alberta.