When a city reservoir burst in Lewiston, Idaho, in January sending 3 million gallons of water rushing into surrounding neighborhoods, Red Cross volunteers were ready to help. The early morning emergency caused mudslides and road closures and compromised the drinking water supply for about 24,000 residents.

The city arranged for a water truck with spigots on the back and asked Red Cross to help with distribution.

“As people drove up, we helped them fill jugs,” said Max Nuxoll, a Lewiston resident who has volunteered with Red Cross since 2021.

Red Cross volunteers also handed out bottled water.

Max said residents were grateful for the help, and one man even returned with cookies and caramels his wife had made as a thank-you.

 “He said, ‘We appreciate what you’re doing’ and off he went,” Max said.

Besides helping distribute water, Max also went to two homes that were damaged during the flooding to meet with those families. One household had a couple of generations living together, including a brother, sister and her children staying in a basement.

“They were still vacuuming the mud out four days later,” he said. “And there was just a pile of muddy furniture out there. It was heartbreaking to see the situation, but we were able to offer some assistance.”

Also helping in Lewiston were Jim and Julia Knauss, Misty Kalousek and relatively new Red Cross volunteer Honni Hoene, who lives just across the river in Clarkston, Wash. This was her first disaster response. She heard some tough stories from people whose homes were damaged but was amazed at the resiliency she saw as well.

One young man who stopped in for water told Honni about all the hardships his family was going through but kept a smile on his face, she said. When he was ready to head out with two gallons of water on this shoulder, Honni offered to find him a ride, but he insisted he could handle it.

“Once he left it really affected me that he would be so strong and at least we could help him with the water,” she said. “It just made me think there are a lot of people out here who need help.”

Volunteering seems like a natural way to give back to a community that has given her much in return, Honni said.

 “I have lived here my whole adult life,” she said. “Community is so important, and Red Cross helps communities, and I really do appreciate that and I want to be a part of that.”

Volunteerism and service has always been in Max’s blood as well. Besides his work with the Red Cross, he also volunteers with AARP and serves as the community director with the Knights of Columbus church group.

“Number 1, I’m retired and I want to stay busy,” he said. “And number 2, I’m retired Army with 26 years, and my whole life has been about service. It’s a gift that was given to me.”

Max has already responded to at least 25 disasters since joining the Red Cross two years ago, most of them home fires. And while the work is often difficult, it’s also rewarding.

“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it,” he said. “It’s hard to go out to some of these calls and see this stuff, but I’m glad I’m able to help and give these people some hope.”

VOLUNTEER WITH RED CROSS

The American Red Cross offers volunteer opportunities for almost any interest and skillset. Training is provided and the payoff is priceless. Learn more by emailing IDMT.Recruiting@redcross.org or visiting redcross.org/volunteer.