Fayette County's George Knight is a special Red Cross volunteer. What makes him special? He is a member of the South Metro Red Cross Center's Disaster Action Team (DAT).

The DAT responds whenever and wherever disaster strikes in the four-county (Fayette, Clayton, Henry and Butts) south metro area. Team members are often the first to help fire, flood, tornado or other type disaster victims start putting their shattered lives back together.

"I do this because I really want to help people," Knight said. "I've seen what it means to people who have lost almost everything they own to have someone who is caring and compassionate and can start the recovery process for them and with them."

Stephanie Wright, the disaster response coordinator at the Red Cross office near Southlake Mall, said, "DAT members are a dedicated group. Disasters have their own schedule and when people can't wait for help, that's when we step in.

"We can't do it without dedicated volunteers such as George."

Knight added, "I've been called at all hours of the morning and night, but that's okay. I knew that when I raised my hand. The payoff comes when you know you have provided comfort and direction to someone who has just suffered great personal loss."

Wright has started a recruiting campaign for the team whose job it is to provide immediate assistance such as food, clothing and shelter at disaster sites. More volunteers are needed to help with disaster relief missions in Fayette County. "We provide all the necessary training and we will work with anyone's schedule in an effort to place them on the team," she said.

"I would encourage other Fayette Countians to check into this," Knight said. "The American Red Cross has a distinguished history of helping anyone in need. I'm proud to say I'm a part of that."

For more information, call Stephanie Wright or center director Ruben Brown at 770-961-2552 or visit a DAT meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at the center, 1115 Mt. Zion Blvd. in Morrow.

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