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Red Cross

seeks disaster

team volunteers

Fayette County's George Knight is a special Red Cross

volunteer. What makes him special? He is a member of the South

Metro Red Cross Center's Disaster Action Team (DAT).

The DAT responds whenever and wherever disaster strikes

in the four-county (Fayette, Clayton, Henry and Butts) south metro

area. Team members are often the first to help fire, flood, tornado or

other type disaster victims start putting their shattered lives back together.

"I do this because I really want to help people," Knight said.

"I've seen what it means to people who have lost almost

everything they own to have someone who is caring and

compassionate and can start the recovery process for them and with them."

Stephanie Wright, the disaster response coordinator at the

Red Cross office near Southlake Mall, said, "DAT members are a

dedicated group. Disasters have their own schedule and when

people can't wait for help, that's when we step in.

"We can't do it without dedicated volunteers such as George."

Knight added, "I've been called at all hours of the morning

and night, but that's okay. I knew that when I raised my hand. The

payoff comes when you know you have provided comfort and

direction to someone who has just suffered great personal loss."

Wright has started a recruiting campaign for the team whose

job it is to provide immediate assistance such as food, clothing

and shelter at disaster sites. More volunteers are needed to help

with disaster relief missions in Fayette County. "We provide all the

necessary training and we will work with anyone's schedule in an

effort to place them on the team," she said.

"I would encourage other Fayette Countians to check into

this," Knight said. "The American Red Cross has a distinguished

history of helping anyone in need. I'm proud to say I'm a part of that."

For more information, call Stephanie Wright or center

director Ruben Brown at 770-961-2552 or visit a DAT meeting on

the third Tuesday of each month at the center, 1115 Mt. Zion Blvd.

in Morrow.

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