She wanted to help last year during the 2008 floods, so Lynne Dempsey decided to become a Red Cross volunteer. In September 2008, this Elkhorn resident became an official member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT).

“I was very compelled after the floods to get involved and I was interested in joining the Red Cross because I wanted to help people affected by disasters in the community,” says Lynne.

Since she’s started, she has responded to three disasters throughout Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties, responding to two fires and a car that hit a house.

Volunteer Mary Roche encouraged her early on to work with the DAT and gain experience even though disasters don’t occur as often in her area. Two others deserve credit in Lynne’s eyes, Danielle Ferguson and Nancy Johnson, because they both recommended she also volunteer in Disaster Staff Services. Now she also recruits volunteers to help during large Red Cross disasters.

“I really like working with the DAT because it gives me a sense of accomplishment whether you get a thanks or not,” Lynne comments. “And everyone in Staff Services has been very helpful and supportive, it’s really everything I hoped it would be.”

With her local DAT and Staff Services experience, Lynne feels confident and comfortable possibly going out on a national assignment sometime in the near future.

“I enjoy knowing that I’ve helped someone out,” says Lynne. “I feel that a person needs to be compassionate and open-minded working with the Red Cross because they serve anyone that’s in need. It’s been a great learning experience for me. I definitely would recommend it.”

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.