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‘A Birthday Wish,’ Red Cross Volunteers Throw Birthday Party For Young Shelter Evacuees

Red Cross workers at an evacuation shelter in Haw River knew what they had to do after finding out to young teens were celebrating birthdays.

HAW RIVER, N.C. (WFMY) -- During a disaster, it’s about the people who come together to make small but meaningful moments happen that make a difference in the lives of those they help.

Like celebrating a birthday but not just one instead, two and during a hurricane.

Related: Hurricane Florence | List Of Emergency Shelters in the Piedmont Triad

Red Cross workers at an evacuation shelter in Haw River knew what they had to do after finding out two young teens were celebrating birthdays.

It meant workers had to act fast and get a birthday cake and that’s not all.

Related: LIVE BLOG | Tracking Hurricane Florence #StormTrack2 Across The Carolinas

“So we shot out to the grocery, got a birthday cake, set up some decorations, and set these kids up and we've had a pizza party.”

That’s right Red Cross volunteers threw a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old girl both birthday parties at the shelter.

Related: Families Moving Out of Hurricane Florence's Path Find Shelter at LJVM in Winston-Salem

“It’s the most humbling experience you’ll ever have. It really is, to see people happy and to know they feel comfortable and they feel safe, is our reward. That’s what we appreciate.”

The hurricane evacuees include people escaping Florence from the coast. The Lamb's Chapel Church shelter holds 100 people but if it gets filled up another shelter is in the works. The Red Cross said the Fairchild Community Center will open as a shelter in Burlington if needed.

We want to wish both teens a very happy, special, and memorable birthday!

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