It has been 20 years since Hurricane Andrew shredded a large portion of South Florida, decimating Homestead and Florida City.
It has been seven years since Hurricane Katrina, a category 5 storm, tore through the Gulf Coast, sinking New Orleans in the process.
It has been a year since Hurricane Irene struck the eastern seaboard from North Carolina through New England.
Now we watch as Hurricane Isaac brings his own brand of destruction to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
In each and every disaster, the American Red Cross responded to the call for help. At last count, there were nearly 2,400 volunteers in the region from Florida to Louisiana this week opening shelters, providing food and relief supplies.
The strength of the Red Cross is shared across a network of regional offices nationwide. Eight volunteers and three emergency response vehicles from eastern North Carolina were sent to support countless others in the aftermath of Isaac.
Jim Dunham and Ralph Aviles (Coastal Carolina Chapter), Helen Miller (Onslow County Chapter), Cynthia Ann Wright and her son Jonathan (Wayne County Chapter), Cliff Rabourn and Don Campbell (Greater Albemarle Area Chapter) and Doug Erickson (Wilmington) are currently in Mississippi and Louisiana. Most have responded to multiple catastrophic events over the years.
American Red Cross volunteers coordinate their response with local, state and federal officials and community organizations to help secure assistance for storm victims. Had this storm hit eastern North Carolina, the same volunteers would stand ready to help us.
The American Red Cross, a nonprofit organization, provides critical aid during our darkest hours. Our continued support is necessary in good times and bad.
Make a donation to the Greater Pamlico Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, or donate to the national organization by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.