When a disaster strikes in the United States, Dorothy Staples is among the first to respond when the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter needs volunteers. Since Dorothy became a Chapter volunteer in 1998, she has responded to 45 national disasters working mainly as a client services worker.

 

“Dorothy is dedicated to helping and comforting people affected by disasters, no matter where they live. She is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure the people who need our services are helped,” said Jeannie Edington, Disaster Specialist.

 

As a client services volunteer, Dorothy offers a compassionate shoulder to lean on, emotional counseling, referral and emergency financial assistance, and much more. Since completing disaster training courses to prepare as a Red Cross client services volunteer, Dorothy has responded to all types of disasters ranging from Hurricane Charley in Florida to the Greensburg, Kansas tornadoes and most recently the Midwest Flooding.

 

On her most recent assignment to Indiana, Dorothy was asked to conduct outreach and home visits to families and individuals where the flooding had either destroyed or caused major damage to their homes. Dorothy walked door-to-door to assess the damage to homes and was able to assist the clients who needed Red Cross help immediately.

 

When asked how she feels she is impacting on the Indiana community, Dorothy replied, “During the Midwest Floods, I am making a difference, one family at a time.”

 

As a result of Dorothy’s dedication and commitment to the Red Cross, hundreds of families and individuals across the nation affected by disasters have learned Dorothy brings hope and help as they begin their road to recovery.