By Sarah Martin
American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region Communications Manager

A destructive typhoon struck the territory of Guam on May 24, wreaking havoc on the island. With winds reaching 140 mph, Typhoon Mawar toppled hundreds of homes and businesses, causing a power outage that lasted for days. Typhoon Mawar was reportedly the most powerful storm to hit the region in over two decades.

The American Red Cross swiftly responded to the disaster, with volunteers and staff on the ground within hours. They set up shelters, provided food to those displaced from their homes and assessed the damage to connect individuals with federal assistance.

Four individuals from the Nevada Red Cross answered that call to serve. Two were Red Cross employees and two were local volunteers, each bringing unique skills to the devastated island.
 

Heidi Ruster: Caring liaison between the Red Cross and Guam

Heidi Ruster, CEO of the American Red Cross Utah Nevada Region, is no stranger to disasters like Typhoon Mawar. For this particular disaster, Ruster served as the primary liaison for the Red Cross to the Guam government and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Just two hours after landing on the island, Heidi briefed the governor of Guam and the local FEMA head on the Red Cross' shelter plan and response. For the past 20 years, the Guam government has run its own shelters following typhoons. However, with Typhoon Mawar, the responsibility shifted to the Red Cross.

Heidi had daily meetings with local and regional leaders, addressing issues such as debris management and the safe delivery of supplies to the island – challenges unique to a small island disaster.
The job of sheltering was especially difficult on the island because of the extent of the damage and the lack of power. At one point, one of the major shelters was in a warehouse without air conditioning, and things like restrooms and cooking surfaces had to be brought to the shelter.

Despite these challenging conditions, Heidi will remember the people the most. She once helped a family set up their temporary FEMA-provided shelter, a large tent with metal beam supports. The family expressed profound gratitude.

“We come to disasters to help those in need, but we often find we come away with so much more than we give,” Heidi said.

Jacob Buck: Mobilizing a Community after Typhoon Mawar

Jacob Buck, an integral part of the Volunteer Services at the Red Cross, recently utilized his skills in a different setting - Guam. There, he effectively managed over 300 volunteers, including local residents and military personnel who had fortunately escaped the worst of the storm and were ready to lend their hands.

Jacob ensured that each volunteer found a meaningful way to contribute, primarily through working in shelters and providing food for those displaced by Typhoon Mawar.

During his month-long service in Guam, Jacob encountered both heartbreaking devastation and the warmth of a resilient community. "Guam welcomed us with open arms," says Jacob. "Their kindness and gratitude for our efforts were evident in countless ways."

Before Typhoon Mawar struck, the local Red Cross chapter had a modest team of about 20 volunteers. However, in the wake of the storm, hundreds flocked to the Red Cross, eager to serve their community.

Witnessing this transformation was deeply gratifying for Jacob. "Seeing people go from being unfamiliar with our mission to wholeheartedly embracing it was truly inspiring. The desire to alleviate suffering in their communities was palpable among the volunteers. My hope is that they continue to volunteer and effect positive changes in their communities," Jacob reflects.

Dene Shaver: Fostering resilience and recovery through Red Cross volunteerism

Dene Shaver, a seasoned Red Cross volunteer from Southern Nevada, has dedicated countless years to disaster response. She has volunteers for so many disaster deployments, she’s lost count. Her recent deployment to Guam, where she served as a Shelter Supervisor for three weeks, presented unique challenges due to significant power outages.

For the initial two weeks, Dene managed a shelter set up in a warehouse lacking air conditioning, with only a few fans to cool the hundreds of displaced individuals. The situation improved when the shelter was relocated to a school equipped with air conditioning, a functional kitchen, and indoor bathrooms.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Dene found joy in caring for the community's children. "The children were incredibly friendly and receptive. “They would eagerly approach us for hugs and enjoy spending time with us, despite having never met us before," she recalled. The shelter housed several newborn babies, giving Dene the opportunity to cradle them. Some teenagers in the community taught her taught her some of the Chuuk language and traditional dance moves. In a heartwarming gesture of gratitude, one woman gifted Dene a traditional skirt for her efforts to help their community.

Danel Lipparelli: Providing emotional support in the heart of disaster

Danel Lipparelli is a long-time volunteer with the Red Cross, specializing in mental health care. She has deployed to over 60 disasters, and she served for a month in Guam as the IDC Chief. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the Disaster Mental Health, Disaster Spiritual Care, and Disaster Health Services teams. Danel expressed immense pride in her Guam teams, praising the may ways they served the community.

Among the various acts of service provided by her team was supplying a wagon to a mother of five children, all under the age of five. They also sourced a pair of donated hearing aids from the mainland for a man who needed them. He expressed profound gratitude. The team provided comfort to countless survivors of the tragedy, including a family grieving the loss of their son, who was tragically swept away just before the typhoon.

In addition, they organized a celebration at a shelter for Liberation Day, commemorating the day Guam was liberated from Japan. Danel shared, “Some of the children had never experienced a celebration like the one we were able to give them. Most didn't even know what a Pinata was. I am proud to say that my Mental Health team was responsible for making the party happen.”

Before leaving Guam, every volunteer had a conversation with a member of Danel’s Mental Health team. They discussed their experiences and potential challenges they might face upon returning home. “This was a difficult deployment, both physically and mentally," Danel acknowledged, "but we want our Red Cross volunteers to know that support is available, and that talking through your experience with someone who understands can make a significant difference.”