Finding Treasure Amidst Tragedy

By: Jocelyn Hillard, American Red Cross

In 1975, when Therese “Terri” Blake was just 10 years old, her family experienced a devastating fire in their home. The night she went to bed, she awoke surrounded by flames, and her world was forever changed.

“We lost everything,” Terri recounted. “The whole upstairs was gone. My whole bedroom was gone. What I call my treasures as a 10 year old… everything. I had nothing.”

The Red Cross rushed to the scene to provide support, offering toiletries and other comfort items, including a small stuffed pony for young Terri. This simple gift became her first and only treasure in the wake of the tragedy, a lasting symbol of the kindness she received during her family’s darkest hour. She reflected, “And I don’t know why, but I’ve kept him all these years. He was special to me. He was all I had after the fire.”

Now, nearly 50 years later, Terri cherishes this memento as a powerful reminder of human compassion. “The Red Cross cared, and they were there that night, and started out my new collection of treasures.”

Today, Terri serves as a supervising nurse, dedicating her career to the well-being of others. Her commitment extends beyond her professional role – she volunteers with the same organization that left an indelible mark on her life years ago.

In 2018, Terri joined the Red Cross with an interest in disaster response. Drawing from her own experiences, she assists both locally and across the country as a disaster mental health worker, providing specialized comfort and care to those affected by tragedy. Her time as a volunteer has taken her to Hurricane Florence in North Carolina, as well as other disasters, including Kentucky floods and, most recently, damaging storms in California.

When asked what motivates her to volunteer, Terri shared with a smile, “It’s a great experience. What I love about the Red Cross is… there are a lot of great people you’re going to meet. You’re going to make friends for life. There’s just a lot of heart in the Red Cross – it should be [renamed] the Red Heart and the Red Cross!”

One tiny treasure – a well-loved stuffed pony – has profoundly impacted Terri’s life. And now, she continues to pay it forward, being a treasure for others in their times of need.