Local Red Cross Volunteers Provide Comfort and Relief to the People of Hawaii

By: Samantha Miller, Communications Manager

Our deepest sympathies are with the people of Hawaii whose close-knit way of life, rich with traditions and customs, has been forever altered by the deadliest wildfires in the last 100 years.

During this uncertain time, our teams and partners are working tirelessly to get help to people as quickly as possible. Red Cross disaster teams are working 24/7 to provide them with a safe place to stay, food to eat and emotional support.

Ten volunteers from the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region are on assignment, helping those whose lives have been forever changed by these devasting wildfires. They join the over 300 trained Red Cross disaster workers from Maui, other Hawaiian Islands and across the country.

Lisa Sgamboti of West Hartford is one of seven volunteers from our region currently supporting the National Call Center. In this role, Lisa helps with the reunification process of loved ones separated by the wildfires. Lisa has been on deployment before to help the people of Fort Meyers, Florida after Hurricane Ian. This is her first virtual deployment.

“I was saddened to know that so many families and friends were separated during the Hawaii wildfires,” said Lisa. “I joined the Virtual Reunification Team to help locate loved ones and give them the emotional support they need during this difficult time.”

Lisa has been a Red Crosser since 2017. She joined the mission after seeing the impact volunteers were making in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Lori Merker-Chapman of East Hampton is another dedicated volunteer on the Virtual Reunification Team. She has stepped up to deploy several times during her nearly six year Red Cross journey. She says, she is willing to help in any way she can.

“I am volunteering in the hopes that I will make a difference in someone’s life.” said Lori. “I believe volunteering is one of the most important things a person can do to improve their community and the world around them.”

Sue Norton of Lyme is a volunteer on our local communications team who also raised her hand to help the Call Center. Sue is a Red Crosser of just over one year who has already made a large impact as a storyteller across multiple lines of service including the Home Fire Campaign, Training Services and Service to the Armed Forces. This is a new experience as it marks her first-ever deployment.

“I answered the call to be helpful in any way possible and to provide comfort to those looking for loved ones,” said Sue.

We have received more than 2,100 reunification information requests and have successfully completed more than 550 of these.

If you need assistance locating a missing loved one due to the current disaster, call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and select Option 4, then follow the voice prompts for “Hawaii Wildfires.” Provide as much detail as possible to assist us in potentially locating your missing loved one. Please note call volume is high and callers may experience longer wait times. 

This is a difficult time for everyone affected and it’s important for people to connect with and support each other. If you or a loved one needs help, reach out through the Disaster Distress Helpline for free 24/7 support by calling 1-800-985-5990. 

YOU CAN HELP 

It’s common to feel helpless after a disaster, but there are two impactful ways you can make a difference today:

1. Join the Red Cross mission and become a volunteer. Our volunteers train all your long to be ready to provide relief and comfort when a disaster strikes. Explore our most needed positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday.

2. Make a financial donation. You can help people affected by disasters like fires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.