Local Red Cross volunteer

April 21, 2011
By NIKKI YOUNK – Staff Writer , The Daily News, nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com
 

IRON MOUNTAIN – An Iron Mountain man is continuing his many years of service through the American Red Cross by volunteering for the tornado relief operation in North Carolina.

Vic Seppi departed on Wednesday for Raleigh, N.C. He will spend the next three weeks working as a warehouse supervisor.

“Vic will be responsible for helping manage supplies and other resources in a Red Cross warehouse where supplies will be coming in and going out to help those affected,” explained Nick Clippert, emergency services manager for the East Central Wisconsin chapter of the Red Cross.

This type of work is not new to Seppi. He has been volunteering with the Red Cross since he retired as the Sagola postmaster in 1998.

Seppi estimated that he has gone on 25 different relief assignments across the country in that time period. His resume includes volunteer work at ground zero after the World Trade Center attacks and in the Gulf Coast region after Hurricane Katrina.

Although the work can be intense at times, Seppi said that he enjoys volunteering over and over again.

“I’m just happy to go out on a relief operation again and be able to help people in need,” said Seppi.

Anyone interested in becoming an American Red Cross volunteer can stop by the Iron Mountain office at 427 S. Stephenson Avenue or call 774-2494.

American Red Cross Deploys Third Local Worker to assist with Southern Tornadoes

Marquizia Winston enjoys a sandwich at the American Red Cross shelter at the Garner United Methodist Church in Garner, N.C. Photo: Daniel Cima/American Red Cross

American Red Cross volunteer, Vic Seppi, from Iron Mountain, will be deploying to Raleigh, NC today to assist the relief operation for those affected by deadly tornadoes in the North Carolina area last weekend. He will be assisting in logistics as a Warehousing Supervisor. Vic will obtain his specific assignment and location once he lands inRaleigh,NC.  

“Vic will be responsible for helping manage supplies and other resources in a Red Cross warehouse where supplies will be coming in and going out to help those affected,” said Nick Clippert, Emergency Services Manager, East Central WI Chapter. “This will be one of many deployments for Vic who loves to go out and help people in any way he can.  It is great to know that we have wonderful volunteers like Vic in our area to help out when there is a need.” 

Vic has gone out on over 15 national disaster assignment including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, he has seen it all. “I am just happy to go out on a relief operation again and be able to help people that are in need,” said Vic Seppi. He has been a local volunteer with the Red Cross since 1998.

Vic is the third local Red Cross person to be deployed to help with the Southern Tornadoes. Earlier today, Tom Powell will deploy to Jackson, MSto assist as a mental health supervisor. Sunday, April17, Barbara Behling, regional community development officer for the American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin, arrived inRaleigh,NC. She is working with the Red Cross Public Affairs Team.

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help people affected by disasters like these tornadoes and wildfires. You can help by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit http://www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross,P.O. Box 37243,Washington,DC20013.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.