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During the tragedy, two Red Cross volunteers were at the scene to provide assistance to Weeks and her family, making sure they had a place to stay until they got back on track. She also recalled that several Red Cross members, family and friends went through their closets and found clothes to fit her and her children.
That is something Weeks never forgot.
About a year later, she got a job with the Southern Prairie Chapter of the American Red Cross in Ottumwa.
"I love helping people," Weeks said. "And after seeing what the Red Cross did for my family, I'm glad to be a part of something like that."
She started at the Red Cross as Health and Safety Services coordinator
"I arranged health and safety training sessions for businesses and community members," she said.
Her position included training for OSHA requirements, first aid, CPR, sessions on bloodborne pathogens and other health and safety issues.
She also was partially responsible for disaster services, helping train individuals for local fire relief and national disaster volunteer work., such as hurricanes Katrina, Charlie and Francis and flooding in Minnesota. Local relief included house fires, flood relief and tornado damage response efforts.
"It was a new position at the time," she said.
When she started, Weeks said she only knew a little about what the Red Cross did to help people. She quickly learned the chapter does so much more than she could have imagined.
"I love my job and I love helping the people in our community," Weeks said.
Though the tragedy with her home lead her indirectly to her position, she said it has helped her relate to others in the same situation.
"I think it makes it easier for them knowing you have been through what they are going through," she said.
When Weeks was promoted to executive director, she inherited financial and judicial responsibility at the chapter as well as fundraising and financial support efforts.
"I still help out with the relief training some," she said.
As executive director, one of her larger tasks is to recruit more volunteers. She also assists her full- and part-time employees, Deb Ogren and Amanda Cale.
Weeks' goal is to have more people who have the time, become volunteers for the chapter.
She said people can not imagine how it makes you feel to do a job like this.
"At the end of the day, it feels good to know that you are helping out people who have just been through a [major] ordeal," Weeks said. "It's a satisfying feeling."
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.
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