Taylors Man Assists Flooding Victims With Red Cross In Florida

GAINESVILLE, FL - It may be summer vacation time for many people - but it's not for the thousands effected by Tropical Storm Debby, and it certainly isn't for the American Red Cross volunteers working tirelessly to assist them. 

Taylors resident Brian Scoles, a public affairs manager for the American Red Cross in South Carolina, is currently in Florida along with at least six other Upstate volunteers. 

"Even though I am a paid staff member of the Red Cross, when I go out on a disaster assignment, I volunteer," Scoles said. "When I go, I leave behind my wife and two young sons. Sometimes it's just for a week, and sometimes it's two or three weeks depending on the need. Could I say 'no, not now?' I could, but I don't, because I am compelled as a human being to get involved and to bring relief to someone who is hurting."

Scoles' role is specifically as a public affairs manager. He meets every day with the operations management in Florida to discuss the relief operation in the state, where the needs are, the current flooding, power outages, shelter needs and where distribution sites must be. 

"We are on calls throughout the day with the Red Cross headquarters in Washington, DC, where oversight of the Florida operation and the other relief operations around the county are coordinated," Scoles said. "Our Washington headquarters then dispatches the equipment, personnel and other resources that we need to help the citizens in Florida."

Scoles' public affairs team also takes photos and videos of the people in the communities who are effected by the flooding to help tell their stories - a critical aspect of the organization's ability to raise funds.

Scoles has strong ties to the Taylors and Wade Hampton area. Not only does he live in Taylors, but he used to work as the communications director for Bob Jones University. Now, he has taken his skill of communication to the Red Cross to help others in need. In Florida, need is something he's seen plenty of. 

"I have seen people in pretty desperate situations. Many neighborhoods are completely cut off by flood waters and supplies are being brought in by boat. Wells are contaminated and septic systems are flooding into the ground water. Many people are and have been without electricity for a couple of weeks," Scoles said. "But many have been helped by the Red Cross and other partners that are coming to their aid, such as the Southern Baptist disaster relief, United Way and many business that are compelled to help their communities. Although many have been helped, many are still in great need."

Beginning June 24, Tropical Storm Debby hit northern Florida and drenched it with torrential rains for two days as it slowly moved and sometimes even stalled over the state. Severe flooding has been reported throughout northern Florida. The real life, human toll disasters take put things into perspective for Scoles. 

"Sometimes when you are on a job like this, it is easy to get caught up in the job, having to meet deadlines or get a news release written," he said. "But, with each response I go on, I bring back at least one memory. There is at least one person who becomes the face of the operation for me who will remain forever in my memory."

Scoles specifically referenced a little boy, whose photo he snapped while in Florida. 

"He is a three-year old from northern Florida. He was so excited just to receive a little bag of supplies that the Red Cross gave him, he began to jump up and down. We gave him hope. I think for me, the one the one thing I would do differently is to take time to give more hugs, especially to children like this little boy," Scoles said.