Photo credit: Johan Hallberg-Campbell
Doris Barkley had just returned to her Stratford, ON home from Calgary on August 21, when she got the call: a tornado had touched down and assistance was needed.
A mere two hours later, the Canadian Red Cross volunteer was in the town of Goderich, an hour away, helping to open a reception centre.
I visited Goderich last Thursday and chatted with Doris – when she wasn't busy answering questions about where and how to get help or how someone can help - about her experience responding to the disaster.
“A lot of people are in shock,” she told me. “They are not sure where to go, what to do, what they have left.”
This is the largest disaster that Doris has responded to as a Canadian Red Cross volunteer to date. When disaster strikes, the Red Cross relies on a network of thousands volunteers across Canada – such as Doris – to help respond. These volunteers go through hours of specialized training so they can be ready and on stand-by to assist whenever needed.
At the reception centre, Doris has been helping to register individuals forced from their homes and reconnecting loved ones. She has also used her training and experience as a victim services volunteer and nurse to provide emotional support when needed.
This disaster even has a personal note for Doris. Her brother lives two blocks from downtown – the epicentre of the devastation. (He managed to get into his basement in time, along with his wife, brother and sister-in-law. They are all safe and the house is not damaged.) Despite that, she has been devoting long-days at the reception centre. Even on her day off to rest, all she wanted to do was to get back there to help.
“You don’t take time for yourself because you always want to give to others,” she said.
If you are interested to become a Red Cross volunteer, and be trained so that you can respond to future emergencies, you can find out more info by contacting your local office or visiting www.redcross.ca.