American Red Cross volunteers head to Texas to prepare for Beryl

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – People across the South are preparing for Beryl and the trail of damage it is expected to leave in its wake. The storm is expected to reach Texas on Monday morning, so the American Red Cross of South Carolina is sending trained volunteers hoping to help those who need it most.

Food, water and toiletries are some of the essentials volunteers Mike Scott and Kimberly Gonzalez hope to provide to people in San Antonio who may be suffering from Beryl’s impact.

READ MORE: Texas coast braces for possible Beryl hit as it waits to regain hurricane strength

Scott and Gonzalez are two of 11 American Red Cross volunteers from South Carolina heading to Texas to help, where they hope to conduct mobile feeding in affected communities.

“There are shelters there, but they can’t fit anyone in them. Sometimes these neighborhoods are really hard hit and this truck has to go there and bring them food,” Scott said. “This could happen in Charleston and we would need the same help there, that’s how the Red Cross works.”

Scott and Gonzalez are part of the American Red Cross relief effort, which has hundreds of volunteers delivering aid to people in the storm’s projected path.

While Gonzalez said this is the first time he has been part of an operation like this, he feels that the volunteers coming from all over the country to help will have a great reach at a time when thousands of people will be in need.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m in South Carolina or another state,” Gonzalez said, “I think it just creates that unity and that mission of being there to support people in their time of need.”

Gonzalez and Scott said they plan to stop somewhere in Alabama to get some rest during their long drive south.

People can find additional ways to support Red Cross Disaster Relief online, helping people affected by disasters like floods, fires and countless other crises.

People can call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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