Red Cross Volunteer from Cameron Enjoys Helping Those in Need

By Carl Manning American Red Cross

As a paramedic, Richard Doornink has the training and skills to save lives. As a Red Cross volunteer, the Cameron resident gets the chance to use his skills to help those in need, something he does because he enjoys doing it.

That’s why right now he’s at the Seven Trees Community Center in San Jose, California, serving at a Red Cross shelter for those driven from their homes by the recent massive flooding.

“We are the first line of care until the ambulance gets here. We have had to call for an ambulance several times,” Richard said, adding that the shelter averages about 125 residents each night.

Richard is part of the health care team assigned by the Red Cross to the Seven Trees shelter. It’s standard practice for the Red Cross to have health care professionals on site or on call at each of its shelters.

Richard said the team handles such things as toothaches, headaches, dehydration, nicks and cuts not requiring a hospital or urgent care. Sometimes it’s providing an ear to someone who needs to talk.

“We provide consultation for everyday guidance,” he said.

Richard, who has been a Red Cross volunteer for more than a decade, decided to become part of a health care team at shelters when he was on a state task force during an ice storm.

He said it was his first time to see what the Red Cross could do help those in need. At one location, the Red Cross assumed the operation of a shelter that had been open for about three days.

“I saw the difference the Red Cross could make in the lives of the people there,” he said.

Over the years, he has deployed many