Interview with Charles Cook, 2009

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Person Interviewed

Cook, Charles

Description

Charles Cook is a US Army Veteran who worked for Amtrak and the New York subway system. Upon hearing that planes had crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 Charles jumped into his work clothes and walked from Harlem to Ground Zero. He knew he had to “do something” to help with the recovery effort. Not dissuaded by his friend’s concerns for him at Ground Zero, Charles dedicates hours, days and nights to the recovery effort, even sleeping in empty stores near the site. Charles realizes that the physical consequences of volunteering at Ground Zero are a small price to pay, compared to the deeper meaning he has found in giving back to honor those who are no longer here. This starts a new chapter in Charles’ life as a Red Cross volunteer who assisted the devastated neighborhoods of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

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