Dalbey Education Makes $10,000 Contribution to Dedicated Red Cross Volunteer
When Hurricane Katrina attacked the Louisiana coast in 2005, the directors of Dalbey Education wanted to help. And while there were certainly many relief organizations ready to accept financial donations, Russ wanted to make a direct impact to someone especially deserving… a contribution that wouldn’t be lost in corporate misappropriation.
In the end, Dalbey Education donated $10,000 to the family of Gail Adolph in the most devastated part of the Mississippi Delta.
Gail Adolph, a smiling grandmother with a slow Creole drawl known to many as simply “Miss Gail,” had been a dedicated volunteer for Red Cross relief efforts for years. Despite suffering from arthritis, this former EMT headed up the first-ever disaster education and relief program for her remote parish.
“Miss Gail” pioneered disaster preparation campaigns for her community. She assembled a staff of nearly 100 volunteers and personally worked more than 120 disaster relief cases. Over five years, Gail Adolph took care of her network of families through five hurricanes and tropical storms as well as three tornadoes.
But even “Miss Gail” wasn’t ready for Katrina’s unprecedented destruction. And this time, Gail Adolph and her family were victims, not volunteers.
Her house had been completely erased by Katrina, and she had no money. Gail and seven of her eleven siblings were homeless – seven families living as disaster refugees in a two-bedroom house in northern Louisiana.
For the first time in her life, the selfless volunteer and her immediate family needed help. So the Dalbey Education Institute agreed to help her rebuild her home – and rebuild her life.
With a donation of $10,000.00, Dalbey Education played a small part in creating a new future for Gail and her family… one deserving group of people who exemplify the ideals of teamwork and community.
“I can’t even begin to explain how grateful I am,” Gail said. “It’s all been so terrible, but you’ve all been wonderful… just wonderful. Thank you.”
