If I could share one piece of advice with future disaster relief team members, it would be this – be flexible. The Red Cross did a wonderful job of prepping us and supporting us. After orientation, you might even think you have an inkling about what you're getting into--but nothing can fully prepare you for the experience. Really, you can't imagine what the victims of a disaster are going through until you see firsthand. Go into the experience with an open mind, and expect changes or surprises at every turn. Very early on, I had a whole different understanding and appreciation for volunteers. Five days is a significant contribution of volunteer time, but I was really in awe of volunteers who had been there for seven-plus weeks. My Astellas teammates were definitely the biggest support system throughout the deployment. It was important for each of us to share our stories of happened each day working in the shelter. Disaster Relief was more intense and emotional than imaginable, but Team Houston did a great job keeping it together. Working in the shelter, I adopted a weird sense of humor- laughing lightened me up when things got heavy. An instance that comes to mind were the signs posted all over the restroom at the shelter stating, "Do NOT throw fruit cups or clothing in the toilet," it was hilarious because you KNOW someone had to have done it in order for there to be signs that say "don't."
Other than the bond I shared with Team Houston, my best memory comes from working in the kennel at the shelter. Riley and Stubby were two dogs whose owner was living in the shelter. Every day, the owner would come by once or twice to walk and spend time with his dogs. The dogs were always SO happy to see him, I could tell they lived every day for these visits.
At the end of their walk, Riley and Stubby would return reluctantly to their cages; their owner would walk out quietly with his head down and return to the shelter. The three of them were a family, and it was obvious they couldn't stand being apart. Every day I prayed for the good news that their owner had found a home for all of them to be together. Later on day 3, the owner came in and announced, "Riley and Stubby are checking out!" He had this huge smile as he collected their leashes to head out of the shelter for the last time and finally go home. The owner thanked us for all we'd done helping care for his beloved pets, and all I could do was cry. I couldn't remember I'd last felt such an overwhelming happiness for someone. Emotions ran the gamut every day during my week in Houston- sadness, happiness, awe -- you name it. That, in a nutshell, was my volunteer experience and 100% worth it.