When a fire ripped through a rural farm house in December, owners Carol and James Christopherson were thankful to get out safely with their grandson and their lives. When a page came from the Law Enforcement Center to respond to an active fire, Emergency Services Director Chris Humble and volunteer Gayle Gorman grabbed their fire boxes and headed to the scene. This was the first fire Chris had responded to, and it was an experience she won’t soon forget. “You realize just how quickly complete devastation can happen,” she commented. The house was fully engulfed in flames by the time they arrived at the scene. James was still outside but his wife and grandson had headed to the neighbor’s house to get warm. It soon became apparent that the emergency personnel were also in need of assistance, as they became covered in ice while trying to fight the blaze. Red Cross was asked to set up a canteen of food and beverages. Within minutes, hot coffee, water, and sandwiches were available to the firefighters. Winona County Red Cross provided a temporary place for the family to stay, as well as money to purchase food, clothing, linens, seasonal garments, and a storage container. Since Carol didn’t have eye care insurance, the Red Cross called on their partnership with Vision Service Plan (VSP) to provide her with new eyeglasses. VSP provides free eye exams and eyeglasses to victims of local disasters whose eyeglasses have been destroyed and who do not have other eye insurance to replace them. Dr. Lane Robeson of Winona participates in the VSP. When asked why he participates, Dr. Robeson said, “It is a very small piece that I can provide for individuals with very great need. I only hope that if I ever have such needs there are others who would do the same.”
Said Carol Christopherson, “I ran into the house to get my grandson and later realized I didn’t have my glasses. I don’t have eye insurance but the Red Cross helped me get glasses. I was sitting there and was totally numb, I didn’t know what I was going to do next. We are so thankful for the being able to stay at a hotel while we got things sorted. I don’t know what I would have done without Red Cross assistance. Thank you!”