Sewickley Heights Man Assists with Red Cross Flood-Relief Efforts

Peter Sewchok remembers that as he watched on television the destruction and subsequent suffering from Hurricane Katrina's rising floodwaters, he felt a tug at his heart. He and his wife Lorie wanted to do something, anything.

Her reply was, “Why don’t we get in touch with the Red Cross and see if we can help?”

Sewchok, 63, of , ended up volunteering with the American Red Cross in New Orleans, and his disaster response missions have not stopped since.

Today, Sewchok will deploy to Council Bluffs, Iowa, to assist with flooding relief efforts there. Sewchok, who now works as a general services supervisor for the Red Cross, is going to help with the computer technical aspect of the flood. This three-week deployment, however, is a purely volunteer mission.

As supervisor of activity computer operations, Sewchok will oversee the operation of all technology, including computers, phones, printers, copiers, fax machines, satellite dishes and other items.

“In operations like this, people are trying to get in touch with loved ones or their insurance companies,” Sewchok explained.

Flooding along the Missouri River has affected residents in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, shutting down highways and bridges, and forcing some residents to relocate temporarily from their homes.

Sewchok said staff and volunteers are briefed on the adverse conditions before taking on such an assignment. In this case, he said, weather conditions will be hot and humid, there could be service interruptions, and his sleeping quarters might be at a shelter. Sewchok said he was willing to overlook these temporary discomforts, considering how other people are suffering.

He said he was excited to fly out this morning to Omaha, NE, where he will continue on to Iowa.

“It really does make you feel like you’re contributing because so many people need so much … and they appreciate it,” Sewchok said.

After joining the Red Cross efforts in New Orleans, Sewchok continued volunteering for five years before he was hired as an employee earlier this year with the Pittsburgh-based chapter of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region.

Sewchok becomes the 17th local staff member or volunteer worker to join one of many national response operations on the ground in flood-devastated states across the country. One local volunteer has gone on two separate deployments and another has gone on four. For Sewchok, agreeing to join this mission wasn't hard.

 “They had the need and I was available.”

 How to Help:

Those who want to help people affected by disasters such as tornadoes, floods and wildfires, as well as countless other crises at home and around the world, can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. This gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

Donations may be made in four ways:

• Text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999, which will send a $10 donation to the National Disaster Relief Fund. The charge will appear on your next cellphone bill.
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
• Visit RedCross.org.
• Mail a check to the American Red Cross, 225 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The donation should be marked "National" if the donor wishes the funds to be earmarked for the National Disaster Relief Fund.

For more information on the Red Cross relief efforts across the nation, visit redcross.org.