CINCINNATI — While most people are trying to get out of Idalia's path, one group from Ohio raced toward it. Red Cross volunteers went from Cincinnati to Florida before the storm to try and help after it hits. 

What You Need To Know

  • Red Cross organizers said there are at least six Ohio volunteers already in Florida, eight more who left Tuesday and more could be on the way depending on the damage 

  • Organizers said the volunteers are prepared to stay in Florida for up to two weeks, then another round of volunteers will come 

  • Red Cross said they are using resources more often with the recent disasters and are also looking for more volunteers to help

When Spectrum News 1 caught up with Beverly Forsythe, she was holding back tears. 

“Sometimes teary-eyed when I think about it,” said Forsythe. 

It's because she went on a trip that might help someone facing disaster.

“Some of them have lost everything. Everything. They have all their pictures, you know, all their mementos from their families, just their general everyday lives,” said Forsythe. 

She knows because she’s been a Red Cross volunteer, helping during devastation, for the last seven years. But this time, she left before the storm.

She’s part of a volunteer team who went from Cincinnati to Florida, ready for the impact of Idalia.

“Well, it’s a way to give back. It’s a way to help people, away to hopefully bring comfort to those who are going through a disaster,” said Forsythe. 

Before they left, Marita Salkowski, the regional communications director for Red Cross, made sure everyone was informed about the plan.

She said they’re not going directly in the storm’s path, but close enough they could start helping quickly until the next round of volunteers come.

“The volunteers that are going down today, they are committing to being there for two weeks. They will stay there for two weeks, and then as that they start to wrap up that term, then more local volunteers will start to transition in,” said Salkowski. 

She said there are six Ohio volunteers already in Florida, eight more came Tuesday and she said there may be more coming depending on how bad the damage is.

“We're still in Hawaii. So, you know, we're on the ground helping people in these areas that have been devastated by these storms for as long as we need to be there,” said Salkowski. 

Forsythe said she’s planning to give out food and help in any way she can after the hurricane.

“Just giving them a pat on the back causes them to show greatness and love and kindness,” said Forsythe. 

Related Stories