Red Cross, Web and Social Media, Writing
This is a blog post I wrote spotlighting a volunteer with the American Red Cross Tennessee region.
May 2010 was a month many in Nashville will never forget. In the first few days of that month, more than a foot of rain fell in just two days – leading to catastrophic flooding that left much of the region underwater. Eighteen people died in Middle Tennessee alone, and dozens of people died between Tennessee and Kentucky.
After the rain was over, the region’s efforts turned toward recovery. Faith-based groups, government agencies, and nonprofits were all involved – including the American Red Cross. And a big part of the Red Cross Response – was volunteer Gloria Loftin.
“The main thing I remember about the whole recovery is how well we all worked together,” Loftin said, thinking back to 2010.
Disaster recovery is something Loftin knows well, and she knew it well after the devastating floods. Loftin has been part of the Red Cross’s disaster recovery efforts since 1995. Much of her experience has been in casework, but the recovery after the Nashville floods was different. Loftin represented the Red Cross on a panel of relief organizations that provided financial assistance to people dealing with the aftermath of the floods. There, Loftin made financial decisions and commitments on behalf of the Red Cross.
“People who can’t recover without financial help, we do case management on those families,” she said. “All of us [relief groups] are sitting around the table, we speak up and say ‘Red Cross will do $8,000” for the HVAC, for example.”
Loftin didn’t just help award Red Cross recovery money – she also helped raise money for recovery efforts.
“During one of the first organizational meetings to create the long-term recovery committee in Nashville, the Salvation Army Area Commander told me he was writing a grant to ask the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for money for recovery. I thought to myself, I can do that,” Loftin said. “I got permission, I wrote a grant, and doubled the Red Cross’s money that we had to give to clients.”
May 2020 marks 25 years in disaster response for Loftin. While she’s worn different hats throughout that time, she now serves as a regional recovery lead.
“I’m a resource for people,” she said. “I mentor a lot of people, coach other volunteers.”
Thinking back on her time with the Red Cross, Loftin says she’s thankful she’s been able to volunteer with the Red Cross.
“I’ve had a fantastic 25 years, it’s been very challenging,” she said. “It’s a privilege to volunteer for the American Red Cross.
This story was published on the American Red Cross Tennessee Region blog.