By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer
Each person who comes in to contact with American Red Cross Volunteer, Manny Lerma, is greeted with words of comfort and a caring smile.
Lerma has been volunteering for the Red Cross for nearly the decade and has deployed 27 times, across Central California and the United States. When asked to quickly pack a suitcase, proceed to the airport and fly where he is needed his reply is always an enthusiastic, “yes!” No matter what type of disaster – wildfire, flood, tornado, typhoon or hurricane – Lerma’s priority is always ensuring people are taken care of, whether it’s a neighbor or a stranger.
When a challenging deployment was presented to Lerma, to fly approximately 16 hours to Guam, there was not even a moment of hesitation. He knew he would be facing non-airconditioned sleeping arrangements, limited electricity, and having to travel uneven roads to deliver food to those affected, Lerma gladly accepted the opportunity to bring comfort and care to those in need after Typhoon Mawar devastated the islands.
On Maui, Hawaii following the Lahaina Fire, Lerma served thousands of cups of coffee and ensured breakfast food, healthy snack and water were always available to the Red Cross volunteers and National Guard members housed in the same facility.
Closer to home, Lerma was deployed as the shelter manager of the Tehachapi Red Cross shelter for those displaced from the Borel Fire. Several elderly evacuees were comforted by his kind words and reassurance that they would be well taken care of by volunteers.
Volunteers also are grateful for Lerma’s presence. “I appreciated Manny’s sharing of his vast volunteer experience,” said Chris Miller, a volunteer shelter supervisor, who has been supporting the sheltering efforts for a week.
Lerma’s reassuring smile and enthusiastic attitude make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by disasters.
Red Cross Central California Blog 