Most people like to use their holidays as an opportunity to get away, rest and unwind. 51-year-old Allan Works, an oiler and pressure vessel inspector, chose to spend the remainder of his 2012 vacation days giving back.
In early November, Allan received a call to respond for Hurricane Sandy relief in New Jersey. By November 5, he was on the ground providing aid as part of a disaster management team with the Canadian Red Cross.
Allan started out by helping to serve food but was quickly moved to the night shift where he worked in sheltering, and basically just helping out where he could.
He explains that a volunteer’s role on a response can be unpredictable and draws on a variety of skills. Sometimes you are there to help people with any physical problems they might have such as falling ill, other times you just need to be a person to talk to.
When Allan started as a volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross he had just left his position as a volunteer firefighter, had moved to Red Deer, Alberta, and was looking for another way to give back.
He jumped at the opportunity to volunteer in disaster management with the Canadian Red Cross.
Allan Works with other Red Cross volunteers during his volunteer deployment in New Jersey
Although Allan gives so much to others, he gets something out of it too, “It’s a great sense of satisfaction, that you’re helping people.”
Canadian Red Cross is lucky to have volunteers like Allan. Because of his giving attitude and spirit we are able to make a difference all over the world.