Helping your neighbours

Topics: Alberta, Emergencies and Disasters in Canada
August 06, 2013

When Judith Wilson saw images of the flood-devastated community of High River, Alberta, it was hard to believe that it was only a short drive away from her Okotoks home.

“I knew I wanted to help, but it was still important to me to help in the right way,” she says.

Judith soon signed up as a non-affiliated Canadian Red Cross volunteer and has been active with the organization in High River, volunteering nearly a week of her time to the response. She spends her days distributing cleaning and hygiene supplies, water, food and other relief items at the Rodeo Grounds in High River.

“It’s the perfect mix of interacting with people and, physically, something I can do,” she says. “The Red Cross is conscious of my safety, as well as the safety of the people we’re helping.”

The experience has been rewarding, Judith says, who is now considering applying for a permanent volunteer position with the Canadian Red Cross Disaster Management program.

The Canadian Red Cross has had hundreds of people support the Alberta Floods response as non-affiliated volunteers. All Canadian Red Cross non-affiliated volunteers can be identified by their white t-shirts that state: “Help your neighbour.”

And for Judith, that’s exactly what she’s doing in High River.

“These people are my neighbours,” she says.

To help with our efforts, please donate to the Alberta Floods fund.  
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