April 18-24 is Volunteer Appreciation Week. To end this important week, we are sharing a letter that highlights the efforts of our extraordinary volunteers who carry out the vital work of the Red Cross---ordinary people who donate their time and talents to help others. If you would like to join their ranks, visit our Volunteer page.

Dear Red Cross,

I had the opportunity to watch Red Cross volunteers in action for the first time when my daughter’s apartment building was on fire on the morning of February 1, 2010. In what could have been a hopeless and miserable situation, they were there immediately after the fire was reported. My daughter was able to escape the fire with just her sweatpants, t-shirt and shoes and her three-year-old son only had his underwear on because he usually gets so hot at night he took off his jammies. She was able to grab him, wrap him up in two blankets, and make it out just when the firemen came in with their hoses. They were both scared to death, but the Red Cross was able to help with their efficiency and caring.

You can imagine getting a phone call at 2:45 am from your daughter crying that her apartment building was on fire. We flew over there!! By the time we got there, the Red Cross was seeing to everyone’s needs--handing out blankets, guiding people onto a warm city bus, and they even had an outfit for our three-year-old grandson--a pair of sweatpants, a sweatshirt and some socks and some socks for my daughter. We had brought some extra blankets with us and an old jacket we still had at home for our daughter. Little Dominic thought the outfit was so cool, he didn’t take it off for two days!!

I had no idea the Red Cross came to these types of emergencies! I knew they helped people in need, but I guess I never realized the “up close and personal” help they gave in our own neighborhoods at any time of day or night.

Her apartment suffered severe smoke damage and they lost almost everything they had and they didn’t have insurance. They lost all their furniture, bedding, food, much of their clothing, toys, Christmas presents they just received in December, and much, much more. The Red Cross assistance gave her new hope that she could start over. They had to vacate their apartment building because the damage was extensive so they came to us until she could find another apartment. She will be moving into that apartment next week and I just wanted to tell you, on a personal note, how wonderful it is that the Red Cross helps people in need when they are so devastated and discouraged.

Our daughter is a wonderful single mom, works full-time and goes to school part-time. She’s trying so hard to make a good life for her son and herself and with the help of the Red Cross, she can continue to do that.

Please convey to your workers our sincere thanks and tell them how much they are appreciated! I can tell you that I know who will get our charitable contributions in the future to help keep you going!!

Sincerely,
Mary Spongberg

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.You can also support the Red Cross online by becoming a fan on our facebook page and following us on Twitter.