Police retiree helps in Jackson

Thursday, Sept. 22, 2005

Editor's note: Retired Frederick Police Department Lt. Kelly Russell of Frederick was one of several Frederick County residents who left Sept. 7 to volunteer with the Frederick County chapter of the American Red Cross. She agreed to donate three weeks helping with Hurricane Katrina disaster relief. On Friday, she updated The Gazette on her journey.

Kelly Russell spent Friday at a building in Jackson, Miss., normally used for trade shows, but converted more than a week ago into a Red Cross service center.

Federal agencies, such as the Health and Human Services Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural development program, were handing out information there.

Russell, assigned to the security and safety division of the relief effort, walked through crowds at the center, answered questions about available benefits and services, helped people get what they needed and directed people who were feeling ill to medics.

“We’ve had probably at least 1,000 of the evacuees through every day,“ Russell said.

Russell said her efforts had been greeted warmly by the evacuees at the center.

“I have probably encountered some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life, and I’m talking about the evacuees. They are so appreciative of what’s going on here and the fact that we’re down here helping them out. They are amazing folks. Even though they’ve lost everything, they manage to give you a big smile when you give them one. ...They were just so appreciative to get the information and to just have a friendly face to talk to.”

Russell reiterated her positive impression of the relief effort.

“I can't say enough about the Red Cross and all the things that it does, and the support system that’s been built with the National Guard, police departments, local residents who have just been touched by this who have decided to come down and volunteer.“

Russell said she would stay in Jackson helping out through Wednesday.