A smile, a frown, a tear—these are the reactions and emotions shown by youngsters at the Spanish Church of God in Lafayette, Tennessee. They are the children of a tragedy that is being resolved by the actions of the American Red Cross.

Red Cross relief workers found the children and their families living in trailers that had been destroyed—many with the sides and/or roofs torn off—by tornados that cut a swath of destruction through Tennessee and four other states on February 5. They were huddled in these trailers, which were swept by blustery snow.  The children range in age from 1 to 12 years. Two families out of the five present lost family members to the tornado.

The sanctuary in the storm is headed by Pastor Josue, who has been leading the congregation of 80 families for more than ten years. He is the cornerstone of support in this effort to bring needed supplies and materials to the dozens of smiling faces that are reaching out to the American people through the Red Cross for support, comfort and aid.

These youngsters and adults need everything from diapers and baby food to paper towels. The children nod approval with the prospect of asking for things. They do not include toys, books or games in their requests. Their thoughts undoubtedly center on the family and what the family needs. These are simple requests that are being answered by the Red Cross, which is helping to reestablish a lifeline to recovery from the devastating tornados.

It takes community involvement to help alleviate the effects of a tragedy like this, and Red Cross workers were in a position to help. Lending a hand were Smyther Fallen, Manager, Community Relations and Brooke McCauley, Partner Services Senior Associate from the National American Red Cross; and Tina Castillo, an interpreter from the Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter.

A smile, a handshake, a tear wiped away and a glint of hope in the eye of the youngsters at The Spanish Church of Christ - the result of services and a promise of help from the Red Cross.

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Fred Leahy, Greater New York Chapter Senior Volunteer Partner – Development, Government Liaison Officer – DSHR, is also participating in the Red Cross tornado relief effort, working out of National Red Cross tornado relief headquarters in Gallitin, Tennessee.

To date, the American Red Cross has opened 36 shelters and 92 service delivery sites, welcomed more than 560 overnight guests and served 97,000 meals and snacks. Red Cross volunteers will remain hard at work in the region to assure that everyone who needs support can receive it.  

The Red Cross continues to urge the public to donate to our Disaster Relief Fund, which makes possible swift, effective and compassionate responses to the tornadoes and other disasters.