The Decision

A few days ago, I read in our paper that our local Red Cross is calling for volunteers for a three-week assignment in support of the response to hurricane Katrina. For the past two days I have thought a lot about volunteering. I feel some anxiety about serving because of the unknowns. I contacted our Red Cross here, and they said that they would be unable to tell me where I would serve. I would live with the families and eat the same food they have. I would be transported to the location by the Red Cross.

The opportunity to serve as a volunteer presents two potential consequences. First, there is the impact the experience might have on me, good or bad. Big unknown at the moment. Second, there is the impact of NOT volunteering when the opportunity presents itself. As a professional who works with parents and children and has some experience with families in crisis, I would lose considerable self-respect by turning away from reaching out with other volunteers to these families. Because of the positive outcomes of providing support, I have decided to volunteer. I just now submitted my application to our local Red Cross to take a full-day training this Thursday on our duties and responsibilities.

I created this Blog just now to serve as a journal of my experience beginning at this moment of deciding to volunteer through the three weeks of my assignment, to the days that follow after my return. As I write these words, I have no idea when or where I will go. As I learn more, I might even back out. I certainly hope not. I may not be able to update this Blog as events unfold if there is no electricity to keep my cell phone charged. If the phone is available I will call in comments to someone to update this Blog. If the phone goes dead, I will snail mail entries. If that is too difficult, I will keep a journal and add all entries when I return.