Tom and Anna Myers, volunteers with Red Cross on Kauai, recently received the Red Cross Pacific division’s Spirit of the Pacific Award. The Myers were honored for their actions on Dec. 2 when they responded to a call to cross
Tom and Anna Myers, volunteers with Red Cross on Kauai, recently received the Red Cross Pacific division’s Spirit of the Pacific Award.
The Myers were honored for their actions on Dec. 2 when they responded to a call to cross the Hanalei Bridge before it closed due to flooding. They crossed in time to open the North Shore shelter at Hanalei School, which was used by 46 students and eight teachers who were not able to get across the bridge before the road closed.
In answer to the Myers’ request, the owner of a local restaurant donated food for the shelter guests.
The flash flood that took place that day was one of the fourth-highest on record. The shelter remained open all morning and afternoon. The Myers started planning for an overnight stay but the road reopened at 6 p.m.
Anna Myers even gave up participating in the Lights on Rice parade, for which she had spent many hours practicing.
“My obligations to the Red Cross come first,” she said.
The next day the Myers did the same thing, opening the shelter at 2 p.m. and missing a dinner event to be present for those who were stranded.
The Spirit of the Pacific Award was designed to reinforce Pacific Division’s cultural values, while rewarding and recognizing employees and volunteers who exemplify these characteristics.
“Please join me in congratulating Anna and Tom Myers,” said Padraic Gallagher, director of Disaster Services for Kauai.
