FARMINGTON, Conn. — The devastating damage from Hurricane Helene is being felt from Florida to Georgia to North Carolina and in several more southern states.
This week, the Red Cross of Connecticut and Rhode Island sent more relief workers to provide help to so many victims hit by winds and – even more so – flooding rains.
Richard Branigan, the CEO of the Red Cross of Connecticut and Rhode Island said, “We have close to 30 people right now from just here in Connecticut and Rhode Island region and we have more in the next wave.”
Branigan was on hand at the Farmington Red Cross headquarters to send off two volunteers in a disaster relief vehicle. Mark Ruffo, from Griswold, and Tim Castleman, from Groton, were geared up and ready to head for Charlotte, N.C., where they will stage until they are sent to more hard-hit areas.
Ruffo, who is on his first Red Cross deployment said, “It sounds like what we’re going to be needed to do most is the feeding aspect where we load the emergency response vehicle and we go out essentially to ground zero.”
Castleman added, “We have got to be very flexible, so whatever they need us to do, we will fulfill that role.”
Branigan said he is always proud to aid any community that needs it – that is the mission of the Red Cross.
“We are there to offer hope and offer assistance and to bring our services to where they’re needed most," he said.
Before heading on the road, Ruffo said, “The people that are there are in such dire straits. They know what we are bringing them and they are just so appreciative of us just showing making a difference -- that’s the key, making a difference.”
To volunteer or donate to the Red Cross of Connecticut and Rhode Island, click here.
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Jim Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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