Incredible Story Behind Viral Photo of Hurricane Volunteer: 'I'm Just Your Average Mom'
When disaster strikes, it may seem like there’s nothing you can do. “I’m just one person,” you might say. “Can I really make a difference?”
The answer is yes, you can. It’s average, everyday volunteers that make all the difference when it comes to impacting lives during a disaster.
Floods caused by Hurricane Florence have trapped many North and South Carolina residents inside their own homes.
Rescuers from all over have traveled to help those affected by this storm. The Civilian Crisis Response Team stationed in Indiana is made up of civilian volunteers just wanting to lend a hand for those in need.
The team was founded in 2015. According to CCRT’s website, the purpose of the group is “to give everyday citizens access to proper training so that they are empowered and confident to make a positive impact in an emergency situation until the professional responders can arrive, perhaps even saving lives in the process.”
The organization offers free training. From tornadoes to hurricanes, CCRT wants to be there to do what they can to aid in disaster relief.
The group is made up of average people like you and me. Take CCRT member Amber Hersel, a 29-year-old freelance photographer and mother of two, for example.
KTVU Fox 7 reported that Hersel traveled 12 hours from her Indiana home to North Carolina in order to help victims of Hurricane Florence.
A viral photo of Hersel was snapped by Getty photographer Chip Somodevilla. While the moving image is gaining viral attention, Hersel humbly shrugged off the hype.
“I’m just your average mom,” she told KTVU. “I’m just doing what I can.” Indeed she is. Take a look at this photo which features Hersel carrying 7-year-old Keiyana Cromartie to safety.
Hersel may call herself “average,” but she is clearly far from it. What she’s doing is extraordinary. Her heart to serve others, even far outside her own community, is truly inspiring.
This above average mom is making a difference because she’s taken it upon herself to seek proper training so she can be prepared for situations like these.
But Hersel hasn’t stopped there. She’s also promoting CCRT’s GoFundMe campaign in an effort to make an even greater impact.
“Any donations made will help our volunteers make our journey down there and aid in anyway needed,” Hersel wrote on Facebook.
“From helping people find shelter or simply passing out water or meals even $5 can make a big difference as this hurricane approaches,” she continued.
There are so many ways we can all help the many lives affected by Hurricane Florence. If you are unable to physically volunteer, donations made to those who can will make all the difference in this storm.
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