Skamania County Citizens Received a Wonderful Surprise

Skamania County citizens received a wonderful surprise from Southwest Washington Red Cross on Friday, August 14. Red Cross volunteers and staff delivered an Emergency Shelter Trailer stocked with enough supplies to shelter 100 people, excluding food. Manager of the Port of Skamania County, John McSherry, offered to host the trailer where it will be available when the next disaster strikes.
 
The trailer, valued at over $12,000, was made possible by Tidewater, a corporate partner of Southwest Washington Red Cross. Tidewater, based in Vancouver, Washington has a fleet of barges that move commerce up and down the Columbia River. Well aware of how easily Skamania residents can become isolated from critical supplies during an emergency,Tidewater requested the Emergency Shelter Trailer be permanently positioned within Skamania County. Local Red Cross volunteers will be trained in disaster relief so the trailer can be deployed immediately.

In addition to John McSherry, County Commissioner Jamie Tolfree, Joanna Grammon, Editor for the Skamania Pioneer and several Port employees were present for all the excitement when the trailer was pulled onto Port property. Red Cross volunteers onsite were Dale Funkhauser, Disaster Services Chair, Chuck Prochnow and Steve & Sonya Spencer.  Red Cross staff were VeAnne Virgin, Emergency Services Director, and Suzanne Arnits, Community Partners Director.

The American Red Cross of Southwest Washington is grateful for the support of the Port of Skamania to host the trailer.

This is the first trailer of several planned to help prepare Southwest Washington residents and communities for disaster response. The six counties in Washington are Skamania, Klickitat, Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum and Pacific. 

Corporations, businesses, foundations or individuals interested in partnering with their local Red Cross to make this  same gift to other isolated communities are encouraged to contact David Fenton or Suzanne Arnits.   
To learn how to volunteer for the local Red Cross in Skamania County visit: Volunteer.