Local Red Cross volunteers head to Texas

While most of us enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend, a local man will be on the road going to help victims of recent floods and tornadoes.

Roger Bram, 66, is in his 10th year of volunteering with the Red Cross in Colorado Springs.

“My family kind of disagrees with it but I’m here to help out,” Bram said. “I think (victims’) needs are greater than me staying home and doing nothing.”

Bram is one of 12 southern Coloradans who will give up their holiday for the cause. He recently helped victims of a power outage in Woodland Park. Before that, he was away on a training seminar.

“I’m out of town a lot but I think my family understands,” Bram said.

Red Cross spokesman Bill Fortune said the volunteers will deliver supplies to those in need, with some based in Dallas and others in Wichita.

The Red Cross also sent two fully-equipped emergency response vehicles: one from Grand Junction and the other from Casper, Wyoming.

Bram said he’s prepared to stay for as long as three weeks, working 16-hour days.

“After that, I’m going on vacation,” he said.

Bram has had a varied career, retiring as a warehouser in California and is a former minor-league baseball umpire.