Nat'l Red Cross volunteers leaving R.I.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Rhode Island Chapter of the American Red Cross is about to say goodbye to more than 40 volunteers from across the country who have been helping with the recovery effort.

Volunteers from as far away as Texas, Ohio and Illinois have been in Rhode Island for the last week and a half.

"I'm used to going to floods & I'm used to going to hurricanes," says 81-year-old Norma Pilkinton, a volunteer from Illinois who's on her 84th deployment. "I've never been welcomed into a city as well as I've been welcomed here."

Many of the volunteers say they have never seen the victims of a disaster come together like flood victims in Rhode Island.

Gloria Liedigk of Ohio began volunteering during Hurricane Katrina.

"They stepped up to help themselves," Liedigk said after being asked about her impressions of Rhode Island residents.

Bob Reed, a Red Cross Volunteer from Buffalo agreed.

"What I did see a lot of the last few days was the homeowners helping each other out," Reed said. "Neighbor helping neighbor... Community helping community... Which really brings out the spirit of the recovery."

Eyewitness News has partnered with the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Red Cross to help raise money for local families affected by the flooding.

You can find more information on how to donate here.