Hurricane Katrina: Helping Victims Become Survivors
Rick C. Wade
Coordinator of Katrina Relief Project
For BlueCross Blue Shield of South Carolina and Palmetto GBA
We all watched the horrific television images of devastation, destruction and death
resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Many people wanted to help those impacted by the
storm, but most didn’t know how. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (BCBSSC),
Palmetto GBA and their employees accepted the challenge and came to the rescue. Over
two hundred BCBSSC and Palmetto GBA staff traveled to the Gulf Coast to deliver
direct services to victims. Employees contributed over $1 million to the American Red
Cross for relief efforts. The Midlands Chapter of the American Red Cross even used the
BCBSSC auditorium as an emergency phone bank.
Recognizing the traditional hospitality and generosity of South Carolinians, Congressman
Jim Clyburn, Mayor Bob Coble, Samuel Tenenbaum and others convened a meeting to
establish South Carolina Cares, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Hurricane
evacuees. BCBSSC and Palmetto GBA were the most engaged corporate partners,
providing financial, in-kind and human resources. The company deployed nurses each
day to the Central Command Center, and BCBSSC and Palmetto GBA employees trained
Command Center volunteers on the use of the American Red Cross intake processing
system.
BCBSSC rented one hundred hotel rooms at the Travelodge Hotel on Two Notch Road to
house our Gulf Coast neighbors displaced by Katrina. The Travelodge was convenient
for our employee volunteers and had sufficient space for activities. An employee
volunteer recruitment and training program was implemented to ensure that the
Travelodge was staffed each day. As guests arrived, BCBSSC and Palmetto GBA
volunteers shepherded them through a brief intake process and assessed their needs for
clothing, toiletries, medicines and the like. Within a day, guests received much needed
new clothing and other items. Two hotel rooms were transformed into “general stores”
where guests could pick up free clothing donated by employees and Columbia citizens.
BCBSSC nurses were available to assess medical needs and made daily rounds to ensure
that guests were taking their medicines. A company provided taxi service often shuttled
patients to physician offices. Clergy and counselors were also on hand. BCBSSC Food
Services staff organized a full service food operation using BCBSSC and Palmetto GBA
volunteers to serve hot meals and snacks each day. Churches, local restaurants and food
vendors also graciously helped to prepare and serve meals, particularly during weekends.
We also provided meals to Katrina guests at nearby Motel 6 and AmeriSuites Hotel.
The hotel boardroom was transformed into a computer lab with ten personal computer
stations. Guests used the computers to access the Internet, find family members,
complete forms and retrieve important information from government websites such as the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Staff from the BCBSSC Information Technology department provided computer
assistance and helped guests navigate websites. BCBSSC also provided cell phones to
each family so that they could communicate with family members who had been
relocated to other states.
An after school program was established within the hotel so that school age children
could receive tutoring and help with lessons. In the evenings, kids enjoyed PlayStation
games and other activities organized by BCBSSC and Palmetto GBA employees.
Community meetings were held weekly to keep guests informed of important news,
information and services. Benedict College often shuttled Hurricane guests to football
games on Saturdays and volunteers worshipped with them on Sundays
All in all, BCBSSC and Palmetto GBA helped many Hurricane Katrina evacuees rebuild
their lives. Many have reconnected with family members across the country. Some have
even returned to New Orleans. For those who decided to stay in Columbia, BCBSSC and
Palmetto GBA has made them feel at home. Volunteers not only helped them secure
apartments, but also furnished their homes through generous donations from employees.
Children are doing well at school. Thirteen guests are now employees at BCBSSC.
Many of our Katrina guests came homeless and we sheltered them. They came naked
and we clothed them. They came hungry and we fed them. They came sick and we
comforted them. Now, each is beginning a new life filled with much promise and
prosperity. Alexis de Tocqueville, a historian who studied America, said, “America is
great because America is good.” Similiary, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and
Palmetto GBA are great because their people are good!