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Devastated by Wildfires, Family Remains Optimistic
Evacuees at Red Cross shelters are helping each other keep hope alive.
By Katie Lawson, Staff Writer, Redcross.org
Thursday, October 25, 2007 — It's hard to maintain a positive outlook and keep a smile on your face when you've just lost your home and all your possessions. Hard, that is, unless you're Doug Switzer.
Late Monday evening, Switzer and his family reluctantly evacuated their home in Running Springs, California. It was a home they had shared for 20 years, one that everyone in their community knew well.
"Everybody knows us and our house because it sits right on the highway," says Switzer, opening a newspaper to reveal a photo of his beloved home gutted with flames. "At least, it used to."
Remaining in Good Spirits
The Switzers have family and friends living nearby who have taken them in for the time being, but countless others have not been so fortunate. As the fires began to spread and the number of evacuations increased, many Southern Californians found themselves at the Red Cross shelter at the National Orange Show fairgrounds in San Bernardino.
The shelter, set up by the Red Cross Inland Empire Chapter, opened its doors on Monday, October 22, to evacuees from all over the area. By Wednesday night, the shelter's population had doubled. The Switzers, who had lost everything to the wildfires, were there—but to help others, not to seek help.
"We're luckier than most," says Doug. "I figured I could give blood, volunteer or just tell my story so others can relate."
The Red Cross has been providing the evacuees with hot meals, hygiene items and a safe place to stay. Although the fires continue to rage outside, most evacuees at the shelter remain in good spirits. Outside the shelter's main building, groups of kids play soccer; inside, the children play musical chairs and read books.
Families at the shelter have been able to board their pets thanks to the San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control. Although pets are not permitted in Red Cross shelters, the nearby kennel allows families to keep their much-loved animals close to them and out of harm's way.
As for Doug Switzer, he plans to return to Running Springs with his family so his daughter can be around her friends and they can all maintain their sense of community.
"We'll rebuild," he says. "We all made it out alright. We have each other and we have our health. We're going to be okay."
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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