Couple heads to Texas with Red Cross

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- To help with the Hurricane Ike recovery, the American Red Cross deployed over 7500 volunteers to Texas and Louisiana.

Ten volunteers are gearing up to go help, packing up for what could be a long trip.

Packing a survival bag has become second nature for 71-year-old Bunnie Morgansen and her 82-year-old husband, Dean.

"The wildfires in San Diego to floods in New Jersey and Florida," Dean Morgensen said. "We've been there."

The couple's trip to Texas will be nearly their 20 trip with the Red Cross.

Bunnie Morgansen said she's made another to-do list and is packing another round of essentials. They'll be staying in shelters to help the ones who now call those shelters home.

"We got a passion for the people, they're hurting," Bunnie Morgensen said. "We meet a lot of people doing the same thing we are. We're all in it together."

The couple, now in their 70s and 80s, said it's their passion that keeps them serving. It will be their main source of motivation as they depart Thursday for those who have seen the wrath of Hurricane Ike.

"A few tears are going to be shed on their side, on our side," Bunnie Morgensen said. "A lot of hugs are going to go around."

The couple is scheduled to leave Thursday at 9 a.m. and will be gone for two weeks.

The volunteers will start in Dallas and will later be sent to areas with the heaviest need.