My Red Cross Story
Friday, March 6, 2009

Ina Bostick Disaster Action Team Member (Emergency Response & Recovery)

When a “Call for Help” is issued, Ina Bostick is one of many American Red Cross volunteers prepared to respond to the disaster.

Since responding to a “Call for Help” on the Channel 8 news during the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts, Ina has remained an active volunteer. Now as a member of the Dallas West Disaster Action Team (DAT), Ina is one of the first volunteers to arrive to a local disaster prepared to offer immediate comfort and hope to the victims.

To ensure she provides the best service during a disaster, Ina has completed several training classes. Ina finds the classes essential to understanding how to perform during a disaster; however, she notes that on-the-job training is critical. “I’ve learned more actually doing it. The on-the-job training has allowed me to see other experienced people do the job and how they handle situations because people handle situations differently,” said Ina.

Ina found herself confronted with a particularly challenging situation during one of her early responses to a house fire. One of the victims was a man who suffered from third-degree burns. Ina was able to convince him to return to the hospital for needed surgery because of the burns. “That type of injury is very painful because they have to clean the wound thoroughly. He said that he could not handle the pain. I explained his options to him and I feel like I made a difference because I convinced him to go back to the hospital to get the treatment he needed” Ina said.

Describing her experiences as “life changing,” Ina believes that she has changed because of her volunteer service to the Red Cross. “I was a totally different person before I started volunteering here and I am just a lot happier with what I do,” Ina said.

My Red Cross Story
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
By: Lena Hoskins

Lena Hoskins Placement Coordinator Volunteer (Staff Services)

My name is Lena Hoskins and I am a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Two years ago, after years of assisting the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce/MetroVision (currently Greater New Orleans, Inc.) to foster economic development growth in the region and after coordinating my first family reunion for the Johnson Family, I settled back and reflected on all that was going well.

I decided my next project was going to be to remodel my home so I spent much of what I had in savings to do the job. The day after completion, I heard that Hurricane Katrina might hit New Orleans.  For the past three years, I had left the city when there was a hurricane warning for New Orleans.  This time my husband encouraged me to stay, but what I saw on the weather report told me to go and I did. I left the city with eight other people who did not have transportation and we headed for Lafayette, La.

After Katrina had left its devastation of wind damage, I heard about the city flooding from the levy breaking.  I did not know that my whole life would be changed dramatically. I lost a job of 23 years, a husband of 13 years, a home, contact with most of my family and friends, the growth of a city that I love and a part of me--for all that gave me a sense of security was gone.

A lot happened between Lafayette and coming to Dallas, Texas, but what I remember the most during this time was the “HAND” that was extend to me and others in our time of need, “The Red Cross”. I saw Red Cross volunteers at the Cajun Dome helping and providing care for us, some of us would still be in shock for days to come.  But as I looked around me, I saw volunteers of all races and background giving love with a smile, a touch of a hand or words of encouragement as they provided a well organized service.

Today, I volunteer for the American Red Cross with pride, knowing that I am providing a service that is well needed, can not be bought or manufactured and that is providing “LOVE” in time of need. 

Thank you American Red Cross for restoring “HOPE”, for where there is love there is hope.