Story Published:
Jul 25, 2008 at 8:57 AM EST
Story Updated:
Jul 25, 2008 at 9:47 AM EST
As a category two Hurricane, Dolly tore through much of South Texas leaving a path of destruction in its wake. The governor of Texas declared 15 counties disaster areas, and the Red Cross is calling in volunteers from across the country. In Fresno, the call came Wednesday night for two bilingual volunteers.
"Gloria and Richard came forward immediately. They are here this morning filling out all their documentation and paperwork and will leave at 12:30 to go into Texas to help the families that may need our help, said Ellen Knapp, CEO of the Fresno Madera Chapter of the American Red Cross.
65-year old Gloria Teniente and 69-year-old Richard Garcia are no strangers to disaster relief. Both spent three weeks in shelters helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. Now they've dropped everything to head to South Texas to help families displaced by Dolly.
"Everything has been good for me so I'm trying to give back to the community and at the same time help people, especially right now that they need someone bilingual," said Garcia. "I'm originally from Texas. I'm looking forward to helping those people I know there are some of them in need."
"People can't do for themselves at that stage. They can't do for themselves. The only way I can help them is by giving my labor," said Teniente."
During their three-week deployment to Texas, Teniente and Garcia will use their disaster training skills that they perfected during Katrina. They'll be working alongside hundreds of other Red Cross volunteers from across the nation.
Go to Red Cross to donate to the Save a Family Campaign.
Go to faiths@ksee.com to contact Faith Sidlow with questions, comments or story ideas.
