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LA WORKS' EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEER TO ASSIST
WITH FIRE RELIEF EFFORTS
As one of a few LA Works’ staff members in San Diego earlier this week attending a legislative update conference, my colleagues and I were very aware of the situation. Although we had heard the reports, listened to the news, and saw first-hand the smoke-filled skies, we were not prepared for what was seen and experienced. As we arrived at the hotel where the conference was being held, we couldn’t help but notice the families checking in with pets in tow. While the children were bubbling with excitement about their adventure, the concern was evident in their parent’s faces. These were families evacuating their homes due to the threat of fire. What was amazing was how friendly and kind everyone was, even in the face of disaster. They gladly answered our questions and shared their experience with us. Determined to help, a group of us made the trek to one of the evacuation centers to volunteer our services. Upon arrival we were astonished to see how many volunteers were already working, and witness the arrival of truckloads of donated items coming in from the community. The center was extremely organized…packages were being prepared to distribute donations to other centers, dinner was being served to the evacuees, children were being entertained with story book readings, and volunteers were being dispatched to other evacuation centers or areas in need of assistance. Our assignment was to assist the “211 San Diego” telephone information line call center. We arrived at the NBC building in San Diego and were ushered to the call
center offices. We walked in to see other volunteers busily answering
calls and providing evacuation information. We were immediately struck
by the size of the center (very big) and how many volunteers were already
working the phones. After a quick orientation, we took our places and
began answering calls…and there were many. The center was comfortable,
the technology was cutting-edge and easy-to-use, and the staff professional,
kind, and helpful even though they had already put in many hours themselves.
We were provided with updated information every 30 minutes so that we
were imparting the most current up-to-date information available to the
many callers. No matter what the nature of the call, everyone this volunteer spoke to was surprisingly calm and collected; even when being told that they should evacuate immediately to their nearest evacuation center. The most heart-warming call was that of a young woman, who after learning that she should evacuate her home responded with “Okay, I’ll pack some personal items and leave immediately…thank you very much for volunteering your time to help us. I really appreciate your doing this.” While being faced with the possibility of losing her home, she took the time to offer a heart-warming thank you. She was not alone; every caller with whom we spoke thanked us, whether they received good news or bad. At the end of the long night, as we drove back to our hotel, we talked about how we would react if we were in the same situation. We all agreed that you never know exactly how you will respond in the face of adversity until that time comes; however, we all agree that we hope to follow the example set by all those with whom we came in contact. LA Works staff and partnership wishes to extend our best wishes to all
of those affected by this tragedy and want them to know that they have
touched our hearts by their courage, strength, and kindness under the
worst of situations. |
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roads were closed and how to get to the nearest evacuation center, to
others wondering if they could take their pets to the center with them.
One very sweet woman called for reassurance that she was not in an evacuation
area so that she could go to sleep for the night and not worry. Another
very concerned mother called on behalf of her daughter who was deaf, to
learn if her daughter’s home was in danger. Some were calling to
check on the homes of family members, as they had not been able to reach
them to learn if they had been evacuated. Others were calling to learn
if they could return to their neighborhoods yet to see if they still had
a home to which they can return.