All in a long night’s work

Tim Willert

Despite her age, Raymunda Santos has energy to spare.

Santos, a 72-year-old Red Cross volunteer, has traveled from one

end of the country to the other to be of service to those less

fortunate. The Burbank resident spent more a month in New York

following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks assisting those in

need.

“I don’t know where it comes from, but I have a lot of energy,”

she said Tuesday. “It gives me a good feeling to help people in needy

situations.”

Late Monday night, Santos arrived at Granada Hills High School,

which had been converted into an evacuation center following the

outbreak of the Simi Valley fire.

By the time she arrived at 11 a.m., most of the 27 or so people

who were staying at the temporary shelter were sleeping.

No matter. Santos checked on those who couldn’t sleep to see if

they needed a cold drink or someone to talk to.

“They need help, they need comfort,” she said. “We try to comfort

people as much as possible.”

By 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, Santos was off to help with the Burbank

Temporary Aid Center food drive at the Joslyn Senior Center, where

she volunteered her time from 8 a.m. to noon.

She came home and took a two-hour nap even though she said she

really didn’t need it.

“I feel rested after helping people out,” she said.