When wildfires broke out in Jasper County, Texas, consuming 3500 acres and destroying several buildings, the Red Cross was there, serving residents forced to evacuate.

Volunteer Mike Saucier, a native of Hammond, La., helped the effort by working at the Harvest Church in Jasper. He has a highly honed sense of humor that masks the seriousness with which he views his volunteer service.

“In 2021, I was deployed 21 times,” he said. “I’ve volunteered everywhere from Guam to Houston to California to Arizona.”

He is a chef by training but has skills in everything from technology services to shelter management. He is motivated by a sense of gratitude.

Several years ago, his daughter was hospitalized. He didn’t have the resources to travel to where she had been admitted.

“I didn’t know how I was going to get home,” he said. “The Red Cross gave me $50 and a ride to the hospital. So I’m paying it forward.”

His sunny outlook and sense of humor reflect his happiness at being able to work with fellow Red Cross volunteers helping those impacted by the wildfires.

“This is one of the greatest teams I’ve worked with,” he said. “That’s why I came.”

During the wildfires in Jasper and Tyler County the Red Cross opened 3 shelters to welcome anyone who needed a place to stay as the fires pushed them out of their homes. We were able to provide comfort, food and resources that they needed to help them recover from the damage. There was one thing that stood out to us as we talked to residents in the community, this is a very giving community. Everyone came out to help their neighbor out and there was no man left behind.

You can help people affected by disasters like these and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. If you are interested in volunteering, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Story By: Ruth Nasrullah