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The Canadian Red Cross helps people affected by emergencies and disasters – situations ranging from a housefire to a flood that disrupts an entire region of the country. Following a disaster, Red Cross works with governments and other humanitarian organizations to provide for people’s basic needs – food, clothing, shelter, first aid, emotional support and family reunification.

Every one of the more than 30,000 Canadians who volunteer plays a vital role in Red Cross operations.

Each activity, from responding to disasters, educating youth on violence and abuse prevention, fundraising and governing, is equally important. For every person served there are hundreds of volunteers working behind the scenes coordinating, supporting and training.

During a emergency response the Canadian Red Cross experienced this year on Vancouver Island, one volunteer stood out in-particular for Disaster Management Coordinator Elysia Dempsey. Gary Carleton has worked with the Canadian Red Cross for over 4 years and has been described as invaluable, dedicated, instrumental, a strong mentor, and tireless. He is quite a humble fellow – a proud father of two and an IT business owner by day, and a Red Cross hero by night.

On November 24, 2009 the Cowichan Valley Regional District experienced extremely heavy rainfall and major flooding throughout. A state of emergency was called and many were evacuated from their homes. 151 homes in the area were affected by the flooding, some homes had water up as high as their door handles! And because it was overland flooding none of the home owners insurance would cover the damages. Gary Carleton was the lead volunteer for the Red Cross during this response. Upon hearing of the plight of his fellow citizens, Gary quickly mobilized into action visiting each person affected by the floods and ensuring that their needs were met. Gary worked tireless hours, often not coming home until well after midnight and starting back up again at 7 or 8 am, all as a Red Cross volunteer.

Even after most of the aid organizations had packed up and gone home Gary could still be found in his gumboots with is Red Cross vest, knocking on doors to ensure that residents were happily settled back into their homes. His dedicated and endless energy to help those in need was truly amazing and inspired many tears of gratitude and thanks both from his own community and from the organization that he volunteers with.

Inspired by Gary and his gumboots? Learn how you can volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross now!

Profile provided by: Volunteer BC

Tags: british columbia, gary carleton, hero, red cross, volunteer