RHINELANDER - When an EF3 tornado pounded the Merrill area last month, it left a lot of folks in need. A need that Tanya Newman says she'll never forget.

"Being able to offer them food, water, shelter and even just a shoulder to cry on and be there for them emotionally during a tragedy was just a great thing!"

Newman is part of the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team out of Rhinelander. It has 20 volunteers who respond to emergencies in Oneida, Langlade, Vilas and Forest Counties whenever they're needed.

"We go right to the scene. We take the victims aside. We offer them our services.

Services that DAT Instructor, Michell Fenske, says are made possible by people and organizations joining forces to work toward a common goal...

"Put them in hotels, give them a client assistant card with funds on it from the donated dollars and funding through the United Way."

And to lend a helping hand to people in a crisis.

Newman says, "You want to give them everything that you have. But you have to also be able to spread it out too and make sure that everybody who is affected gets something and you always want to do more."

Because for volunteers like Newman, nothing feels better than to...make a difference!

Fenske says they're always looking for more volunteers.

To learn how you can become one call (715) 362-5456

And if you know someone who is Making A Difference give us a call here at the station at
715-365-8812 and every Thursday this month we'll showcase one of their stories in our newscasts.

Story By: Jeff Allen