News

Actions

Former NBC26 anchor now helping the Red Cross with hurricane relief

Posted at 5:38 PM, Sep 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-17 18:38:43-04

A former NBC26 anchor, who is now with the Red Cross, is traveling to North Carolina to help those affected by what is now called Tropical Depression Florence.

Holly Baker is now a regional communications manager with the Red Cross in the Chicago area. She is one of many in the Carolinas helping those recovering from Tropical Depression Florence.

Baker arrived in Durham, North Carolina before the storm hit on Wednesday. She tells NBC26 that she experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds but managed to avoid most of the chaos. She says now that the storm has moved out, her focus is on traveling to the hardest hit areas to help people who are dealing with severe damage.

"It's really important for us to be able to be there to give safe shelter, we provide them hot meals and we're also that shoulder to lean on and that ear to listen," says Baker.

Baker also says the Red Cross plans on staying there for as long as the relief process takes. She adds that, even though there has been a lot of hardship, she has seen a lot of good, especially through people helping each other.

Baker says there are upwards of 2,000 volunteers helping on the East Coast. You can help victims by giving blood, volunteering your time, or making a financial donation. Learn more at RedCross.org