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As we watch while Florida struggles to recover from Hurricane Ian, some Ohio Valley residents are on their way toward not only the devastation left in the storm's wake, but also to California, where wildfires are ravaging the landscape.
Volunteers from the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the America Red Cross were on their way as early as last Wednesday, joining approximately 500 Red Cross volunteers across the country who were ready to help.
Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley, said the volunteers will be primarily involved in sheltering. Four from our region are headed to Florida, and two are on their way to California.
"We have done our share so far from our region," she said, and our chapter will be on standby through Oct. 25.
But the rest of us can still help.
Of course there is always the need for donated blood, but a disaster brings that demand into sharp focus.
And disasters do not happen only in far flung states and regions.
"We can definitely use more volunteers for local disaster response," Kesselring said.
Some in our region regularly answer the call. They are the ones headed out now to help, again.
Those who have become comfortable watching and reading about suffering elsewhere and saying "someone should do something" must consider whether that someone is in the mirror.