Red Cross assists displaced people, seeks donations to keep on helping

JOHN GRABER, THE OLYMPIAN

"There's a whole range of emotions from fear to anxiety to relief." -- Ingrid Wagner, Red Cross volunteer

OLYMPIA -- The majority of South Sound residents came through the Feb. 28 earthquake just fine.

But it's not too hard to imagine, "What if?"

What if you lost your home because it was structurally unsafe?

What if you couldn't find your pets?

What if you couldn't get your medications or glasses?

The Thurston/Mason County American Red Cross assisted 122 people whose homes were damaged in the quake.

That was the most of any chapter in the state as of Tuesday morning, Red Cross officials said, but that may only be the tip of the iceberg.

"There's probably just as many of those out there who got shelter on their own or just went to stay with friends or family -- at least," said Ed Sorger, director of the Lacey Emergency Operations Center.

The numbers may go up as Red Cross officials continue to take calls and assess the needs of those in the community.

As mental health experts and Red Cross volunteers, Jack Bartleson and Ingrid Wagner have been helping people who lost their homes in the earthquake deal with their feelings.

"There's a whole range of emotions from fear to anxiety to relief," said Wagner, who traveled from Wooster, Ohio, to offer her services.

Most of what they do is listen to people, and let them know it's normal to have the feelings they do.

Bartleson, a local licensed social worker, noted that the displaced have really pulled together.

"They are a community among themselves," Bartleson said. "They have recognized there were some who needed more attention than others, and they give it."

The Red Cross isn't just providing mental health counseling. It is also providing housing at a local motel, food, clothing, transportation to homes if needed, prescription medications, a nurse and a mental health specialist.

"Everything that affects their daily welfare," said Kay Walter, director of the Thurston/ Mason County American Red Cross.

That assistance doesn't come cheaply.

The local Red Cross is spending $8,000 a week caring for displaced people.

They've received enough donations for the first week, but things are tight after that, Walters said.

"That's a lot of money," Walters said, especially since many who have been displaced may not be able to get into their homes for up to a month.

Walters is counting on the contributions of other community members who can help to defray the costs because she is not about to turn people out until their homes are ready, she said.

"Any amount is just going to help."

John Graber covers Lacey, Tumwater and military issues for The Olympian. He can be reached at 754-5465.

How to give

The Thurston/Mason County Red Cross is spending $8,000 a week to care for those who have been displaced from their homes by the Feb. 28 earthquake.

They are accepting donations at Thurston/Mason County American Red Cross, P.O. Box 1547, Olympia, WA 98507. For more information, call 352-8575.

American Red Cross www.redcross.org/where/search.asp

The Olympian Copyright 2000

back to main Earthquake Stories index