Red Cross holds Winter Wonderland event to honor supporters, volunteers

The Southeast Chapter of the American Red Cross celebrated and honored hurricane relief efforts of its volunteers, donors and supporters at the VFW Hall recently. The Winter Wonderland Celebration and Appreciation Event's selection of speakers included Benton shelter manager Saundra Blankenship, who spoke of her volunteer experiences; disaster relief worker Cindy Underwood; and Connie Ponder, case worker for both hurricanes. Donors and evacuees also were recognized and given the opportunity to speak.

Felix Lewis, a New Orleans resident affected by the hurricane, admitted the disaster was challenging, but the community's outstanding welcome helped. "Thank you to all of you," Lewis said. "You made us more than welcome here. In fact you made us feel so welcome, I sent for my displaced family." Now living in Jackson, Lewis said that being alive and all together was what really mattered.

The groups and individuals working together for a desperate cause forged a strong bond. Amanda Lincoln, American Red Cross development specialist, said, "Once everybody got back they wanted to talk about their experiences. That's why we planned a dinner dance program."

Among the youngest of donors, 6-year-old Brice Jansen, daughter of Bobby and Kristi Jansen of Leopold, Mo., believes it's better to give than receive. With a little help from her mom, she shared her story with the event's 275 attendees. After watching the devastation from Hurricane Katrina on television, the kindergartner came up with a plan to help the victims.

As mother and daughter made birthday party plans, Brice told her mother that she didn't want gifts from her guests. On her party invitations, Brice asked her guests to instead make a donation to the victims. Brice and her mother then visited the Red Cross and donated $90 to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.