'You just become kind of a family in here'

WHITE SALMON, Wash. – Hundreds of homes and businesses in the Columbia River Gorge have been without power for a week.

A Red Cross shelter in White Salmon has been home to many families for days.

White Salmon firefighter Susie Willey has been helping serve hot meals at the shelter since Saturday.

“My daughter and I have been here every day helping them with everything from laundry, to cleaning, to whatever they needed,” said Willey.

Wendy Parmeter says part of her job as a Red Cross volunteer is to help people feel at home.

“You just become kind of a family in here. You kind of have to,” Parmeter said.

Other families have been helping those in the shelter by dropping off donations every day.

“We’re thankful for all of their help and they’ve been very kind and very giving,” said Matt Melendez, whose family has been staying at the shelter. “We’re just very thankful.”