Local Red Cross volunteer Coulson offers aid in St. Louis

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Stewart Coulson is out of town once again.

For nearly 20 years, since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the now retired Charles City school counselor has been volunteering his time and services to the Red Cross to provide mental health support to victims of natural disasters.

From hurricanes to wildfires to floods, his travels have taken him from Hawaii to Canada. This time he’s a little closer to home, having spent the last week in the St. Louis area in the wake of a devastating tornado.

On May 16, an EF-3 intensity tornado struck the greater St. Louis area, causing widespread damage to thousands of structures. Less than a week later, Coulson was mobilized with a Red Cross team to help people who have been displaced by the disaster.

“There’s a lot of stress down here,” said Coulson. “6,000 people have lost their homes.”

Coulson is one of about 200 Red Cross volunteers who have mobilized to provide aid, offering mental health services, medical services and food and shelter to people displaced by the disaster.

“There are thousands of people in need of assistance and we’re helping them as much as we can,” said Coulson. “Right now we’re just making sure they’re healthy and safe.”

The Red Cross’ relief efforts are extensive, not just limited to the immediate needs of victims, but the long-term problems as well such as dealing with insurance or getting new identification.

“There’s a million little intricate questions that have to be answered,” said Coulson.

For Coulson, his day begins with a morning meeting with the staff before heading out to introduce himself to people and listen to their needs.

“We spend most of our day directly in shelters,” he said.

While Coulson said he is happy to offer his particular expertise, he encourages anybody interested to look into how they can contribute to the Red Cross in their own way.

“It’s so unlike any other volunteer organization I’ve ever known,” said Coulson. “I would encourage people to realize that there are a lot of things to do for the Red Cross.”

Along with the direct volunteers, Coulson also emphasized the important role that community support plays in facilitating volunteers. While Coulson is away, friends, family and neighbors tend to things back home. The community chipping in with small acts like keeping the yard mowed or taking care of pets are crucial to allow volunteers to be able to freely go where they are needed.

“For me to be able to come here takes a lot of support from back home,” said Coulson. “They all do things that allow me to be able to do this.”