NEW YORK CITY -
This Thanksgiving
some Oklahomans are spending the holiday away from their families in order to
help others.
Red Cross
volunteers are still on the east coast helping victims of hurricane Sandy. Even
before Hurricane Sandy hit, Red Cross volunteers from Oklahoma began heading to
the east coast. Seven are still there.
For Millions hit
by Sandy, this is a very different Thanksgiving. Debris still lines the coastline,
thousands are without electricity and many are still without a home.
"I hope everyone
remembers there's still a disaster going on out here," said Toby Friesen.
Friesen spoke to
News 9 via Skype from a friend's house earlier Thursday before heading back out
to help hurricane victims. Typically, this Oklahoma City man spends
Thanksgiving eating turkey and watching football.
"I miss my family,
I miss my friends," he said. "You hate to miss out on the holidays but
this is a great opportunity to help those who didn't have the choice to miss
their Thanksgiving, they just had to."
Friesen left
Oklahoma for the east coast about a week after Hurricane Sandy hit. He's been
on the ground in New York City for two weeks. He helps coordinate case workers
who go to FEMA sites and make sure storm victims are getting the assistance
they need.
It can be
heartbreaking work. But it will give this Thanksgiving special meaning.
"Makes me feel
great, makes me grateful for what I have," said Friesen. "It makes me
feel a renewed sense of energy for our country because you see people coming
together,"
Friesen says most people are now going through a second phase, at
first they were worried about their immediate needs, now they are trying to get
back on their feet.
Friesen says the
Red Cross currently has 5,300 volunteers on the ground.
For Millions hit by Sandy, this is a very different Thanksgiving. Debris still lines the coastline, thousands are without electricity and many are still without a home.
