A friend spent her day off last weekend taking baked goods to victims of tornadoes in Winston County around Louisville. Betty Jane Billingsley and a couple of her friends got others to help bake and then took the carload of goods where they made contact with an acquaintance who guided them to ground zero and to the actual victims’ homes.

Afterward she reflected the same tone that those returning from assisting Hurricane Katrina victims had after seeing the destruction and power of uncontrollable forces. She wishes she could do more.

No longer will she pooh-pooh her sister’s storm shelter—she’ll be making a trail to join her and taking loved ones along.

Panola County Emergency Management Director Daniel Cole has become seasoned to disasters, both local and regional, with his time in that position.

On Monday of this week he reported to supervisors damage he had witnessed while assisting with recovery at the scene of tornados in the Tupelo area.

And he too, probably, wishes he could do more, but has learned that Red Cross is on the scene doing what they know needs to be done as well as helping those who are there to help others.

“They’re  (Red Cross) doing an excellent job of taking care of our citizens,” Cole said. He said Red Cross is providing housing for storm victims, hot meals and damage assessment.

And their assistance is not limited to major weather incidents. He mentioned recent local storms that damaged homes in the Curtis community as well as house fire victims who had been provided lodging “immediately,” when Red Cross was contacted.

According to Marilynn Grossman, regional communications director with Red Cross, the agency has delivered almost 39,000 meals and snacks and will continue to work with local faith-based groups and other community organizations to provide support to families and workers at fixed locations in the affected communities near Louisville and Tupelo.

 Emergency vehicles are currently traveling through communities to deliver supplies such as rakes, shovels, trash bags and gloves to individuals and families picking up the pieces of their homes. More than 12,000 relief supplies and clean-up kits have been distributed to date.

In times of disaster, many of us want to help—to do something. Often it is inconvenient or impractical. Rest assured that when the dust settles and the smoke clears, the Red Cross knows what to do. It is their mission, and they have been doing it for a long, long time.

“Immediate response,” were the words Cole used to describe the Red Cross reaction to disaster.

Those who would like to help can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Donate by visiting www.redcross.org <http://www.redcross.org> , calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.