Hollister Man, Santa Cruz Woman Join Red Cross Efforts in Mississippi, Alabama

The American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter deployed two local volunteers over the weekend to Mississippi and Alabama to provide support and comfort to those affected by the tornado and Spring storms.

Richard Puccinelli of Hollister was deployed to provide logistical help in Mississippi and Diane Brayman will provide disaster mental health relief to affected families and responders. This is Diane’s first deployment.

[Previous: Two Locals Head To Mississippi to Help With Tornado Relief.] 

The Red Cross is providing comfort and hope across 13 states to help people affected by devastating floods and tornadoes. Red Cross workers are helping people in Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and North Carolina.

Nearly 60 Red Cross emergency vehicles are handing out meals, snacks, and relief supplies in the hardest hit communities as road conditions permit. 

More than 1,200 Red Cross workers have served nearly 79,000 meals and snacks, provided 870 overnight stays in shelters, and handed out more than 11,700 essential relief items to people in need. 

Volunteers are also helping to replace prescription medications and eyeglasses. 

This is one of the largest disasters the Red Cross has experienced recently and additional support is needed now.