Red Cross volunteers spend the holidays helping

On Christmas Day in Merritt, British Columbia, Brenda McCarrell’s phone will ring.

The call will come from more than 3,000 kilometres away, in McCarrell’s hometown of Peterborough, Ontario, and the voices on the other end of the line will be her grandchildren, eager to wish their grandmother a Merry Christmas.

Although she’s missed back home by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, her family understands.

“They are my support,” says McCarrell, one of the many Red Cross volunteers across the country who will celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve away from home helping others.

“It won’t be the first time,” McCarrell’s son told her after learning his mother would be missing Christmas.   McCarrell will spend six weeks in B.C. helping the Red Cross work in support of the Province of British Columbia following significant flooding.

“My family knows about my passion for the Red Cross,” says McCarrell. “We can have Christmas any day, it doesn’t have to be on the 25^th.”

To get to B.C., McCarrell, a massage therapist, had to reschedule her clients, who understand her desire to help. She also has a supportive landlord who charges rent based on a percentage of income, which makes it easier for her to volunteer for extended periods of time.

Along with volunteers from nearly every province and territory making their own personal sacrifices to support flooding recovery, McCarrell is working out of the Resiliency Centre in Merritt, helping the Canadian Red Cross provide financial assistance and emergency support services which may include temporary housing, clothing, food, and personal hygiene items.

One of our volunteers responding to the floods and extreme weather conditions in British Columbia ⤵️
"I cannot say how grateful I am for everybody coming to help. I'm proud to be part of Canadian Red Cross."

You can help here: https://t.co/OjAvEp5IwG #InternationalVolunteerDay pic.twitter.com/sCzA0quyAn

— Canadian Red Cross (@redcrosscanada) December 5, 2021

McCarrell is the centre’s “greeter” - the first person to speak with families to provide them with resources offered by Red Cross or another organization in the community.

“We have people coming in every day that desperately need help,” says McCarrell. “Every disaster (people) are so grateful for the Red Cross to be there and to help.”

She’s seen that gratitude over more than 20 years with the Red Cross, providing post-disaster support on more than 40 deployments across North America including the September 11^th attack in New York City, Hurricane Katrina, and the Fort McMurray wildfire.



She’s learned that small gestures can make a big impact.

“It’s hard right now with COVID because of course we can’t hug, and I’m a hugger,” says McCarrell, who is finding other ways to connect.

“We have been giving out teddy bears,” says McCarrell. “They just need something to hang on to. You give them that bear and they hug that bear so hard. These are small things for us to be able to give out, but it gives them some comfort...a symbol of love and support.”

The Canadian Red Cross has launched the British Columbia Floods and Extreme Weather Appeal. Canadians can donate to help people and communities who have been impacted by this disaster: https://t.co/LgCNU9febV #BCFlood pic.twitter.com/G9amEBrrt6

— Canadian Red Cross (@redcrosscanada) November 18, 2021