Pittsburgh Pink Cross volunteers journey to Louisiana to help aid efforts for Hurricane Ida

Two volunteers from the local Pittsburgh Red Cross travel to Beaumont, Texas to support relief efforts for Hurricane Ida. Volunteers Charlie Williamson and John Breitweiser begin the 1,300 mile journey on Sunday and will be on duty for two weeks. “Volunteering with the Red Cross is perhaps the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. It’s extremely enjoyable,” said Charlie Williamson. Williamson has been used 19 times across the country in forest fires, floods, and cyclones. Hurricane Ida marks its 20th mission. Volunteers will disembark in a Red Cross ambulance to provide assistance and meals to those affected by Hurricane Ida. “If you feed at the window, you can’t even explain it when you see someone and you know the emotions on their face because they’ve lost everything,” said Breitweiser. “You close the window, go out, hug them and talk to them for a few minutes. That’s what the Red Cross is about.” The couple, both Vietnam veterans, say they get into a tragic situation but they remind you why they are there and what help they are providing. Williamson said the greatest benefit is the fulfillment of this service. “You get instant satisfaction when you help someone directly,” he said. “When you provide someone with food and water, emergency supplies to clean their house. You see the joy on their faces and that’s my reward.” American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region Footprint, “the news release said.” In total, more than 500 red cruisers supported relief efforts in the run-up to Hurricane Ida, and hundreds more were mobilized to assist in post-land cut relief efforts. ”

PITTSBURGH –

Two volunteers from the local Pittsburgh Red Cross travel to Beaumont, Texas to support relief efforts for Hurricane Ida.

Volunteers Charlie Williamson and John Breitweiser will begin the 1,300-mile journey on Sunday and will be deployed for two weeks.

“Volunteering with the Red Cross is perhaps the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. It’s extremely gratifying,” said Charlie Williamson.

Williamson has been used 19 times across the country in forest fires, floods, and cyclones. Hurricane Ida marks its 20th mission.

Volunteers will ride down in a Red Cross emergency vehicle to provide assistance and meals to those affected by Hurricane Ida.

“If you feed at the window, you can’t even explain it when you see someone and you know the emotions on their face because they’ve lost everything,” said Breitweiser. “You close the window, go out, hug them and talk to them for a few minutes. That’s what the Red Cross is about.”

The couple, both Vietnam veterans, say the situations they have gotten into are tragic but they remember why they are there and what help they are providing. Williamson said the biggest benefit is how fulfilling the service is.

“When you help someone directly, you get instant satisfaction,” he said. “When you provide someone with food and water, emergency supplies to clean their house. You see the joy on their faces and that’s my reward.”

“Both volunteers will join the fourteen other volunteers dispatched from the American Red Cross’ 61-county footprint in the greater Pennsylvania area,” the press release said. “In total, more than 500 Red Cruisers supported the relief efforts in the run-up to Hurricane Ida, and hundreds more were mobilized to support the relief efforts after the fall of the land.”