Upstate couple deployed for American Red Cross volunteer efforts in the Panhandle

PANAMA CITY, FL (WSPA) – As the panhandle of Florida begins the recovery process following Hurricane Michael.

With Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael, the Upstate couple Dave and LeAnn Goodman have been back to the American Red Cross.

It takes a special person to immerse yourself into a disaster zone.

David Goodman said, "You really do develop a kind of love for our country. "This is the worst I've ever seen."

Goodman and his wife, LeAnn, have volunteered for the Red Cross a number of times, but he said that Hurricane Michael was the first time they'd left their home to deploy to the same place.

"My wife is a very compassionate person and I enjoy sharing this with her and taking care of people," Goodman said.

With the magnitude of this destruction, it was not enough who needed everything.

"There is almost no power, no water," he said.

With nearly 1,200 Red Cross volunteers spread throughout the Panhandle, each job is a little different.

"I'm working in the field, doing warehouse distribution, bulk operations and working with the schools to make sure they can get everything back to normal for them," said Goodman.

Each day they are working towards a sense of normalcy. But no matter the physical or even emotional strain, the Goodman's will continue to be in danger.

"And whenever you have the chance to serve, because when you give, you get a lot back," Goodman said.

The Goodman will head back to the Upstate on Friday, making their deployment 10 days long.