Glass and debris flew through the air as a tornado tore the roof from a section of the home that Arnold Brown rented with a friend in LaSalle, Ontario. Now, more than a month later, the 60-year-old is still trying to put the pieces of his life back together after it was quite literally torn apart.
“We were sitting in the carport,” Arnold said. “The storm came at us from behind. We had no warning or time to prepare.” Though he does not remember much else from that evening, he does recall the sense of panic and confusion he felt as the tornado touched down. “It hit me really hard.”
When Disaster Management volunteer Sharon Jolie arrived at the scene, immediately she was struck by the damage the tornado had left in its wake. “I live only a few minutes away from where the tornado hit,” she explained, “it could have been me.” When she saw all the downed trees and damaged homes, Sharon felt immense relief that no one was seriously injured.
Arnold Brown's house is pictured on the right. Photo courtesy: Tyler Brownbridge / Windsor Star
After meeting with Arnold, Sharon and a colleague were able to provide him with accommodations at a nearby hotel, as well as a hygiene kit and vouchers for food, clothing and transportation. “The Red Cross came in and they helped me,” said Arnold. “They took care of me.”
Across the country, the Red Cross responds to one disaster, such as a house fire, flood or tornado, every three and a half hours. Last year, 46,973 Canadians, just like Arnold, received Red Cross assistance. Teams of trained volunteers provide support to both families and communities for up to 72 hours following a disaster, ensuring that those affected have a safe place to stay, food to eat and clothes to wear as well as access to psycho-social support.
Each year, Walmart stores across Canada dedicate several weeks to support the Red Cross in helping Canadians prepare for, as well as recover from, disaster. The funds raised at each store are used where they are needed most, providing assistance to those affected by a disaster. Whether it is one person, like Arnold, or an entire city, like Fort McMurray, the Red Cross and Walmart are here for Canadians.
Visit www.redcross.ca/walmartcampaign or head to your local Walmart to donate today.