Volunteers From El Paso Red Cross Travel To Help Tornado Victims
By Ashlie Hardway
EL PASO — Four days after a wave of tornadoes ripped through several southern states, killing nearly five dozen people, some volunteers from El Paso’s Red Cross are on their way to help with the rebuilding efforts.
Funerals for victims, which stand at 59, drew large crowds on Saturday as crews began clean up efforts for the many more who are now homeless or recovering in hospitals.
President Bush toured several of the hardest hit areas Friday and declared major disasters in Tennessee and Arkansas, making federal funds available for clean up and rebuilding of neighborhoods affected.
Ivy Ortiz, her mother, and Freddy Martinez, who will help oversee rebuilding operations, are on their way to Arkansas as volunteers from the El Paso Red Cross. The Ortiz’ will be helping victims begin to recover from what some are calling the deadliest storms to hit the South in two decades.
“You always see stuff on TV and you always see what you can do or wish you could help, and I’m actually gonna be able to do that this time,” Ivy said.
Freddy Martinez emphasized that these philanthropic efforts help in more ways than just clean up.
“A lot of times people need a couple days to get out of shock and start realizing ‘Hey, there’s help there, there’s an opportunity’ and move on,” Martinez said.
