By: Christopher Quinn, Communications Volunteer

Marucha Valdés Massot’s road from flood victim to American Red Cross volunteer began in a series of heavy storms that pummeled middle Georgia the last weekend of March 2023.

Massot was staying long-term in a hotel in Macon, Georgia, after a series of tough financial blows, including a serious heart condition that left her partially disabled. As heavy rains poured down, some of her fellow lodgers began to joke that “it looks like we are going to go swimming today” as nearby Rocky Creek’s waters turned brown and began to rise.

“And then the managers came around and said you’ve got to move your cars because of flooding,” Massot said. “And I said, ‘My God, it’s not going to get that bad, is it?’ Until it did.”

The creeping waters were spreading across her floor by nightfall, and Massot gathered her medications, valuables, and her dog Roscoe on her bed and stayed there because she didn’t want to risk her health by getting her feet in the dirty water, which had visible grease and other pollutants in it. Rescue workers soon showed up and evacuated her and other lodgers.

Bill Allocca, an American Red Cross disaster program specialist, got busy preparing a shelter in a nearby recreation center that took in Massot and about 60 other flooding victims.

Having lived in Florida and through its seasonal hurricanes, Massot was aware of the Red Cross’s work, though she had never used its services. Her experience at the shelter became a turning point in not only helping her move into permanent housing but also moving her into helping others.

“They were working very hard and were just unbelievable,” after she arrived at the shelter about midnight, Massot said.

Red Cross staff and volunteers were able to get her a lounge chair to sleep in because she has trouble sleeping on a flat surface. They made sure she had access to her medicines. In the following days, nurses monitored her health, volunteers fed her, and the Red Cross supplied finances for immediate needs, then joined with local agencies to eventually help get her into an apartment. Volunteers even went out of their way to reunite her with her dog Roscoe.

“He is a Red Cross dog now,” Massot said.

“They were so attentive,” she said of the volunteers and workers. Other than physical help, they provided a shoulder to cry on, toys for kids that came in, clothing, and just someone to talk to – whatever was needed.

Massot, who is of Cuban descent, helped translate for a Spanish speaker while there when the idea hit her – the Red Cross probably needs translators.

“I am fluent in Spanish and English and speak a little Portuguese. I can’t help carry stuff, but I can sit at the sign-up table, pass out food, or work as a translator.” Allocca remembered having conversations with Massot and her asking him about volunteering.

“One of my goals, being a shelter manager, was to get to know the clients,” he said. And like her, Allocca’s first experiences with Red Cross – he started as a volunteer – pulled him further into its orbit. He loved the work, but the time he could give to the organization as a volunteer was limited. So he left his job in wholesale grocery sales about a year ago and took a full-time job with the organization.

“Over that time Marucha and I talked -- and I appreciated the fact that she was a bright lady - I suggested, if you are looking for something to do as a volunteer, we are always looking for someone who is multi-lingual.”

Georgia has a large population of immigrants from around the world. Massot signed up and is going through the process of becoming a volunteer.

Allocca checked out her application and is looking forward to a day when they might see each other again.

“When the time comes, I will definitely reach out to her when I see that she begins to get involved,” he said, and he praised her for her commitment.

“It’s easy for us to talk it, but she walked it.” 

YOU CAN HELP make a difference in the lives of people affected by floods, tornadoes, and storms. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733 2767), or text the word REDCROSS  to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from these disasters. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning, and other assistance.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in contributing to the Red Cross mission and becoming a volunteer, or a part of the Disaster Action Team, visit redcross.org/volunteer.