Vacations Mean Disaster Relief

Re-posted from HANDS ON DISASTER RELIEF

Vacations mean disaster relief

St. Clair mother of 13 uses time off to help others in need after experiencing hardships

HARD WORKER: Sue Glassnor, St. Clair mother of 13 children, demolishes a tornado-hit barn in April in Mena, Ark. (Photos courtesy of Hands On Disaster Response)

By MATT SCHOCH
Times Herald
September 27, 2009

St. Clair’s Sue Glassnor has a special interest in the bad news of the day.
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Often, the site of the latest natural disaster becomes her next vacation destination.

Glassnor, a mother of 13, has made seven trips throughout the world since joining the fight against 2005’s Hurricane Katrina hardships.

HARD WORKERS: Sue Glassnor (third from right), a St. Clair mother of 13, stands with a group of fellow volunteers in April amid tornado debris in Mena, Ark.

“My husband and I had a house fire, so we know what
it’s like losing everything you have,” Glassnor said.
“Until you’ve lost everything, you don’t know how they
feel.

“You have to tell them: ‘You can get through it.’”

Glassnor and her husband, Ron, were displaced from
their home for six months after the fire.

Having that experience and seeing people displaced
from home and children were inspiration for Glassnor
to aid rescue efforts in Biloxi, Miss.

“All I wanted to do is bring (the children) home,” said Glassnor, who has nine foster children. “When I found out that wasn’t possible, I figured I’m going to help out any way I can.”

Glassnor found the Hands On Disaster Response group on Craigslist.com and has been happy with the results of her efforts.

The feeling is mutual.

“Sue is incredible about speaking with residents who had been affected,” HODR Communications Manager Beca Howard. “The psychological impact of letting people know they are aware of what they are going through and really want to help.

“Providing that comfort and that support in addition to the physical help is so important.”

Howard noted Glassnor’s experience with the group is unique because she has traveled internationally to efforts in Peru and the Philippines.

Glassnor spent about two weeks in upstate New York this month dealing with flood relief.

In New York, the team of volunteers — who pay their own way to get to the sites — worked more with administration of aid, connecting services with those in need.

She credits her husband with being just as important to the efforts from afar. Now that he is retired, his care with the baker’s dozen of children allows his wife to concentrate on helping others.

This week, Glassnor kept an eye on the severe storms in the country’s Southeast region, which claimed 10 lives in Georgia and Alabama.

Glassnor said she’s ready at a moment’s notice if HODR informs her of trips they are taking to help.

Glassnor, 52, said area residents of any age should look into the program.

“I think it’s really, really effective because you don’t have to have a skill, although it doesn’t hurt to have one,” Glassnor said. “If you have two days or a day, you’re more than welcome to come.

“You don’t have to be real young to volunteer. Older volunteers, the expertise and the skills that they have can help.”

Contact Matt Schoch at (810) 989-6288 or maschoch@gannett.com.

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