In answer to the pros on our experiences, we are in Baton Rouge (leaving today) and are both sick with what we call the Katrina Krud because it has struck so many of us here and we are tired form the long hours but yes this is about the pros!! It is a great experience to work for the Red Cross and help people and get to know others who are giving up their ONLY vacation to come and help others. We were also involved with the AMERICORPS group while here and that was a very positive experience. Will we do it again? Absolutely!!! There were other DOVES here and so many people are getting to know about the DOVES that we are always being asked about our group and how to become members or just awe that there is a group like ours. There is such a need and it will likely grow as the holidays approach and other workers are heading home. Sometimes the reason you aren’t deployed right away is that chapters aren’t aware of the need. This happens in many ways but we discovered when we put in a request for more people it was dropping off the board before the chapters even saw it. We were desperate for people and there were many willing to come but the communication was being lost. This could anywhere as nothing ever runs perfectly all the time. After you have worked a few DRs and become known, you can actually be requested by name and then you can be deployed faster.

Our involvement with the Red Cross is one of the most rewarding experiences we have ever had and we will continue to do it when the need arises. Good luck to you and the next time you will probably work so long you will think you are going to drop but you will also feel really good about your experience and yourself.

Elaine Shelton