SOMETIMES RAF SUPPORT MEANS MORE THAN A CHECK IN THE MAIL

Annie McGlynn-Wright, her husband, and their two small children decided to ride out Hurricane Ida in their home in New Orleans. They survived the powerful storm and their home was only slightly damaged, but they were stranded with no power, water or sewer during the city’s hottest days of summer. Annie is the daughter of RAF President Bill McGlynn.

“Three days in, it was clear that it might be weeks before the power was restored,” Annie said. School was canceled indefinitely. “Without having family in the South, evacuations are both logistically challenging and cost-prohibitive,” she said.

RAF Montana/Texas Ambassador Steve Maus and his wife Libby learned of their ordeal and offered their Emory, Texas home. “We welcomed the family, their dog, and their cat,” Steve said, adding, “It could be six days or six weeks. They are welcome as long as they need it.” 

Annie said, “There is really no way to describe the amazing relief that we feel at being able to leave New Orleans after the storm, and how grateful we are to Steve and Libby. It is an incredible act of generosity to let a stranger (with kids, a dog, and a cat) stay at your home, and speaks volumes about their incredible compassion.” She pointed out that Maus’s had previously provided shelter to strangers after Hurricane Katrina. 

“Although I am not a pilot myself, we have certainly benefited from this amazing community,” she added.

Submitted on September 8, 2018.


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