Advertisement
Following the flood, there were many people who wanted to help in any way possible.
Unfortunately, in these early hours, there was also a great deal of confusion and disorganization.
On Aug. 20, one day after the flood, a group of leaders from the city of Winona, Winona County, the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way and Winona Volunteer Services met to discuss how a cooperative effort could get flood relief efforts up and running. The outcome of this meeting was the formation of the flood relief center. The original location for the flood relief center was in the Winona Mall.
However, it soon became apparent that the Mall location was not large enough and we moved the flood relief center to the Underdahl building, which was vacant at the time.
Debbie White was one of several volunteers who worked in the center the week of Aug. 20 until Aug. 27. During that time Debbie probably averaged 12 to 14 hours a day volunteering her services.
By the fourth day it became apparent that a clear chain of command for the flood relief center was absolutely necessary.
At that point, Rick Larkin, whom the county hired to coordinate overall relief efforts, appointed Debbie White as the person to manage the donations and distribution function. Debbie operated in this capacity until the Adventist disaster response team took over managing the donations and distribution center, which was finally located in the vacant EconoFoods building.
During the week following the flood, Debbie also worked with the Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Security and state and federal legislators as a volunteer and when needed in her capacity as a city councilwoman.
To the best of my knowledge, Debbie never took credit or drew attention to herself for her hard work in flood relief efforts. Instead, Debbie functioned as a liaison and team member for the flood relief efforts here in Winona County and her efforts were and are highly appreciated.
In the hours and days following the flood, there are many accounts of heroes and good Samaritans. Debbie’s story is one of many, which, when combined with the others, reflect the character and generosity of the folks in southeastern Minnesota.
|
More Letters: |
