Southern Nevadans assist Floridians

Eric Leake

Friday, Oct. 1, 2004 | 9:13 a.m.

After four hurricanes in six weeks, weary Floridians can welcome the newest arrivals to their battered state as Southern Nevadans join others in relief efforts.

Volunteers are serving meals, clearing debris, and cleaning up. They are counseling residents who, as they survey the destruction, realize they lost everything but their lives.

Two of the most recent additions to the relief force are Maj. William Raihl, Clark County coordinator of the Salvation Army, and Duane Sonnenberg, director of homeless services. They arrived in Florida Thursday where they joined a dozen volunteers from the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Red Cross and more volunteers across the state.

Charles Desiderio, Salvation Army director of development and marketing, said the crisis does not end when the sea recedes and winds subside.

"Now all of that is over. What's happening is the depression is starting to set in," Desiderio said.

He said both men from the local Salvation Army are pastors and trained in counseling.

"I think that's part of the reason they were selected," he said, to help grieving and distraught residents. "I mean, four hurricanes in a row, that's mind-boggling."

Hurricane Charley struck Florida in mid-August. Frances and Ivan followed. Then Jeanne arrived last weekend.

Brian Garcia, disaster services coordinator for the local chapter of the American Red Cross, has spent 13 years in relief services -- the past three as an employee and a decade before that as a volunteer.

He said it is a pleasure when "you're helping others who have been affected by an unthinkable event ... You can't equal the experience."

And, Garcia added, "I like to know that an organization such as the Red Cross is there to assist me should I ever need them."

Most volunteers have undergone training. Relief work stints typically last two to three weeks.

Mike Farnham is director of ministries and finance for the Nevada Baptist Convention. Working with the Red Cross and Salvation Army, the Southern Baptist Association has served over 2 million meals from 31 mobile kitchens, he said.

Helping people after a disaster takes an army, Farnham said. "Our Nevada group is just part of that overall army that goes and helps out."

People interested in providing donations or future volunteer services may call local chapters of the American Red Cross or Salvation Army or the Nevada Baptist Convention.