A North Allegheny High School math teacher is among four local volunteers who left Wednesday to join the American Red Cross in North Dakota to help the victims of the Souris River flooding.
The river overflowed its banks late last month, breaking a 130-year-old high-water record and damaging thousands of homes.
Judy Dulemba, 51, of Ross, flew out Wednesday to help families harmed by the flood. Acting as caseworkers, she and the other volunteers will help assess the victims' needs for food, clothing and shelter. They will be in North Dakota for two to three weeks.
Since March 31, the Red Cross has launched 46 national relief operations across half the country helping people affected by floods, wildfires, tornadoes and other storms. During that time the organization has served more than 3.5 million meals and snacks and opened 283 shelters.
This is the second time Dulemba has been called out of state. She has been a Red Cross volunteer for 15 years, and she also helped after the midwestern floods in Iowa two years ago.
"I have a great job, and the time available," said Dulemba, who teaches ninth- and 10th-grade math at the high school.
She said she received the call Tuesday that she was heading to North Dakota. She said the work has gone beyond just the service her Catholic faith inspires. After seeing the look in people's eyes -- the expressions of helplessness and gratitude that they're not alone -- she said her Red Cross work is important and meaningful.
"It's the right thing to do," she said.
For more information on the Red Cross relief efforts across the nation, visit redcross.org. For more information on the efforts of the local Red Cross or to become a volunteer, visit swpa.redcross.org or call 412-263-3100.
