Even though Indian River County didn’t feel the full brunt of last year’s storms, members of the American Red Cross Florida’s Coast to Heartland chapter want everyone to be prepared – because as we’ve seen time and again, hurricanes can be unpredictable.

At their annual Hangar Party last Friday evening at the Corporate Air Hangar, Red Cross staff and volunteers were joined by local exhibitors to provide information on ways people can prepare and protect themselves and their families.

Colorado State University researchers are forecasting a slightly above average Atlantic hurricane season, predicting 14 named storms – with three of seven expected hurricanes to reach major strength. The National Hurricane Center predictions will be released by the end of the month, but it’s not too soon to prepare.

“If you haven’t heard, there’s a possibility of something forming next week in the Gulf,” said event chair Glynn Tremblay. The folks at the hangar planned to be ready.

As attendees wandered about the various informative exhibitors, students from the Charter High School modeled Red Cross uniforms from the early 1900s through to today, including one once worn by the grandmother of Sarah Tippet Ruwe, executive director of the chapter. Outside, people enjoyed live music from Collins and Company, while noshing on refreshments.

There was also a silent auction of donated items, eliciting bids to benefit the local Red Cross chapter, which serves residents of Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Highlands counties – 24/7, 365 days per year.

Tremblay, who joined the Red Cross as a volunteer in Connecticut, said he came down to Vero to help out during Wilma and stayed. As the volunteer lead operations manager, Tremblay has seen first-hand the assistance offered when families are displaced and spoke about the help given to a large Haitian family whose roof had been blown into a tree during Wilma.

“The father looked at me and said, ‘Can I buy a mattress?’ There were eight or 10 of them sleeping on one bed,” said Tremblay. “We gave him the money and he gave me a big hug. I was hooked for life.”

He thought people would be surprised at the many other services – all free – offered by the Red Cross on a regular basis. They even offer free smoke detectors and their installation (call 772-562-2549 to make an appointment), because again, they’ve seen the devastation wrought by house fires.

“We go to hundreds of fires in Indian River County alone. We help the families, get them a place to stay,” said Tremblay. “They did it for me, back in ’82. I was burned out of my house; I almost lost my family. So that’s one of the reasons this holds on to my heart.”

For more information visit redcross.org/southflorida.