Salute to Heroes: Greensboro Woman Honored After Two Months of Volunteering Post-Helene
GREENSBORO, N.C. — A longtime American Red Cross volunteer from Greensboro is being honored with a Salute to Heroes award after spending two months helping communities recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
From Remote Support to Ground Work
When the storm’s remnants first hit western North Carolina on September 27, 2024, Susan Steed’s phone rang nonstop as she worked to direct volunteers, find safe shelter for them, and manage logistics from afar.
“It was no easy task, given the extent of the destruction to infrastructure and homes,” Steed recalled.
Witnessing the Worst Storm in NC History
Hurricane Helene remains the worst weather disaster in state history, with 108 lives lost and nearly $60 billion in damage, according to state officials.
By mid-October, Steed traveled to North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, where she saw firsthand what she had been coordinating from a distance.
“Totally overwhelmed. The power of the water — people don’t realize,” she said. “The rewarding part is bringing hope to people that are having the worst possible day of their lives.”
Deep Roots and Lifelong Service
Steed, who was born in Valdese, North Carolina, has volunteered with the Red Cross for 13 years, serving in crisis zones across the globe. In one year alone, she spent more days deployed than at home.
She remains humble about the recognition:
“If you need something, call me. That’s my purpose in life, to try to help someone else. So, it’s not all about me. It’s about what I can do to make somebody else feel better,” she said.
Awards Ceremony
Steed will be honored at this year’s Salute to Heroes awards ceremony on September 18, hosted at Second Harvest Food Bank headquarters in Winston-Salem.
Do you know someone in your community who stepped up after Hurricane Helene? Share their story with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
