Rochester Couple Helping with Sandy Relief

Debbie and John Craft are retied teachers, but their work isn't done, "when you get the call to be ready you need to make sure that you're ready to go within 24 hours," said Debbie.

Volunteering for the American Red Cross has sent them to a number of cities hit hard by natural disasters over the last two and a half years. Thursday morning they're heading to New Jersey, "we're going to be working in bulk distribution so we'll be on the trucks loading and unloading supplies," explained Debbie.

The couple spent Wednesday night packing for the two week deployment. Usual items like clothes and flashlights are going into the bags, but they're also taking paper maps, and cash instead of cards, "a lot of the cell towers still don't work the cell phone coverage is still spotty in places, GPS addresses are non existent," said Debbie, "the ATM machines are empty, a lot of places don't work, the internet down so you can't use your credit cards."

It's clear the volunteer's help is needed. Parts of the Jersey Shore were washed away by Sandy. People lost everything and the volunteers know it's going to be hard work trying to help them rebuild, "we don't know if we're going to be, where we're going to be staying, maybe in a shelter," explained John, "we heard today that one of the volunteers who just came back, they stayed on a navy ship."

The couple says they're ready for whatever comes their way because their sacrifice, along with hundreds of other volunteers, is appreciated, "profound gratitude thank you for giving up your time to come and help us you know, we really need your services, it's wonderful that you do this," said Debbie, "and that's what makes it all worthwhile."