SE Wisconsin volunteers head to help tornado victims

BROOKFIELD (WITI) -- More than a dozen volunteers gathered at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield around 6 a.m. Saturday, May 25th, to load up their personal vehicles and make their way to Moore, Oklahoma.

The group will be spending six days assisting those affected by Monday's deadly tornado.

"It's pretty emotional but it's so rewarding," says volunteer Pam Knoll. "It's a lot of tears, it's a lot of heartbreak, but we just find as many homeowners as we can. We listen to their stories because that's how they begin their healing process."

Knoll says this is the 80th disaster relief effort the Elmbrook volunteers have participated in.

Red Cross volunteers from southeast Wisconsin are also lending a hand in Oklahoma. Linda Arnold flew to Moore Saturday morning.

"I am very curious about what the situation is. Every time you go to a disaster it has its own personality," says Arnold.

This is Arnold's 18th Red Cross relief deployment and she is the 20th Red Cross volunteer assisting in Oklahoma from Wisconsin. Although she doesn't get paid for her efforts, she is happy just making life a little easier for others.

"All it takes is one person comes to me and says 'you made a difference for me, thank you' and gives me a hug. That's my million dollar payment for going to that disaster," says Arnold.

How can you help?

Text STORM to 80888 for The Salvation Army USA, 
Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10, or 
FOOD to 32333 for Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.