As our month-long campaign to highlight amazing volunteers impacting our community and the world continues, we must include Carmela Burke of Woodland Hills.
Burke has deployed on more than 70 missions for the American Red Cross, starting with her first deployment in 1992, when she served as the public affairs technician for Hurricane Iniki recovery in Hawaii.
Carmela Burke and American Red Cross
"I've gone to support Hurricane Marilyn, which was in St. Croix, 9/11 recovery in New York [where I] helped with the client casework and the aftermath of that," Burke told Heroes Host Heather Jordan. "Then, with Hurricane Sandy in New York."
Carmela Burke and American Red Cross
Burke is now working in external affairs and was one of the first volunteers to help during the January wildfires.
They are focused on long-term recovery, helping displaced residents with their next steps, such as medical, livelihood, schooling, and long-term housing needs. "We glean those needs, and then we see how we can help provide those to them," she said.
Over the years, Burke has maintained a full-time job and even used vacation time to volunteer, showing that all it takes is a few hours to make a difference.
"With the situation in January, it was so nice to see the people who really came out and really wanted to help in whatever way they can," Burke said. "That was really gratifying to see that there is good in people and there is humanity."
She has a heart filled with compassion and love, and we are honored to call her our neighbor, our KNX Hero of the Week, Carmela Burke of Woodland Hills.
Check out all our KNX Heroes here.
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