When disasters strike, volunteers are some of first people on the scene joining emergency crews to help others in need. This week is national volunteer week. Our Venise Toussaint speaks to some Red Cross Volunteers who were called to action to help victims of this weeks tragedy in the town of Fallsburg.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

FALLSBURG, N.Y. -- “It’s just emotional.”

When the Grandview Condo complex went up in flames Dan Crezo’s son lost everything. Devastated with nowhere to turn, He and his family reached out to the Red Cross for help.

“They were able to feed us, they were able to provide clothes for us, they got medication for people who couldn’t get their medications at all, it’s unbelievable what they did,” Crezo said.

Red Cross volunteers rushed to the scene quickly setting up a shelter at the Sullivan County community college helping dozens of people displaced by the fire. More than 85 families have come to the temporary Red Cross shelter seeking assistance, inside these bags and boxes donated shoes toiletries and other items to help families in need.

“I have never been thanked so much,” said Ilene Wizner.

She and her husband Stuart volunteer together-they are just two of many spending day and night lending a helping hand

“It’s really important because we’re part of the community and we’re giving back and they need us,” Wizwer said.

The organization is 97 percent volunteer based and people like Dan Crezo and couldn’t be more thankful.

“We’re very very appreciative of the red cross, they’re very very helpful and believe me from now on they’re going to have a donation from me,” Crezo said.

For more information on how to help or get help log on to www.redcross.org or call 877-RED-CROSS.