Sacramento State junior Robbie Abelon is currently waiting for the American Red Cross to deploy him to the Gulf Coast area that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

As one volunteer out of many Californians for the American Red Cross, Abelon will be positioned at one of numerous stations within the region to help “signing in evacuees, giving out food and water, and maintaining a clean environment for the volunteers and evacuees,” said Elaine Viray, with public relations of the Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Typically, a volunteer can chose to stay anytime between nine and 21 days helping out victims. Abelon chose to stay in the area for two weeks.

“I couldn’t handle the toll of staying any longer, with school and my new job,” Abelon said.

No one forced him to travel the 1,800 miles to a region still feeling the power of perhaps the worst hurricane in the U.S. history. He wanted to go to help the people of the Gulf in any way that he could.

Abelon said the idea to help out the people of the Gulf Coast came to him while his classes were discussing the historical and political influences of the hurricane. He then contacted the Sacramento Sierra chapter of the American Red Cross, asking how he could help.

Abelon enrolled in a nine-hour training workshop to learn CPR and how to work in a disaster area, Viray said.

Once he became certified, he then had to deal with the hardest part of preparing for the trip: How to tell his family and friends.

“Honestly, I was close to not telling my family and close family,” Abelon said. “At first they were scared for me. But when they saw how determined I was to go, they were very supportive and even interested.”

Abelon said his instructors were very understanding about his trip. They allowed Abelon to make up the missed assignments when he comes back in two weeks. The government-history major is taking along several textbooks for his trip.

Some Sac State students are supportive of Abelon going down to help.

“I think it’s pretty good that Sac State is helping out the people on the Gulf Coast,” said Tong Xiong, a junior criminal justice major. “The more people there are to help, the better. In disasters like this, we all need to help each other.”

Rachel Showstack, a graduate spanish major, agreed. “I think that’s great that he’s going to help,” Showstack said. “It’s too bad that people still need to be taken care of. Since our government isn’t doing their part, we need to do everything that we can to help.”

One aspect that is in the back of the minds of Abelon, his family and the other volunteers, is the danger.

Television and newspapers have captured the images of people beaten up for food or water. Pictures have shown signs warning that looters will be shot on site. Accounts have been recorded of women being raped and police officers committing suicide.

“With the 30,000 National Guard troops now in the area, I feel safer going now than if I went a week ago,” Abelon said.

Despite the additional troops positioned around the area and American Red Cross security, the trip will not be easy. Abelon will be living in one of the displaced tents within one of the cities, where the electricity could go out at any time. During his two weeks of volunteering, he will be allowed only four days’ worth of clothing.

Despite the danger and the emotional impact of the trip, Abelon is upbeat. He said he might go back again during Christmas break.

Jamie Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]