They’re back!



Union Pacific delivers ERVs safely via rail

Three of five Oregon Red Cross emergency response vehicles (ERVs) have returned from New York after travelling many miles from our local chapters (Willamette, Oregon Mountain River and Oregon Pacific). The vehicles, which were transported back to Portland by rail, were among the 300+ Red Cross service vehicles across the country deployed to assist in Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. The trucks arrived New Year’s Eve morning and were inspected by Response Specialist Curtis Peetz and volunteers Bob Cozzie, Tina Chee and Ed Rentz. According to Curtis, none of the ERVs were worse for the wear, despite being part of a fleet that served nearly 8 million meals and distributed 3 million relief clean-up items.

Oregon ERV joins the fleet in New York

Todd Morrison and Terry Kandle were two of ten Oregon Red Cross volunteers who drove the ERVs from Portland to the east coast, covering more than 3,000 miles. Todd and Terry departed the Oregon Trail Chapter on Nov. 3. Five days later, the team landed in Queens, New York where they sent us this photo of the ERVs. Helping clients there, Todd said, made it easy to remember how fortunate we all are. “Be thankful for what you have,” he said. “Enjoy the adventure of life, your friends, family and Mother Earth.”