Mike Kastner never planned to serve in international relief, but 10 years after the storm, that’s exactly where he now finds himself.
Kastner was one of a handful of American Red Cross volunteers in Marion County after the April 27, 2011, EF-5 tornado tore through the area, killing 25. He says his experience as a small contributor in the disaster relief efforts in Hamilton and Hackleburg gave him a passion for aid work.
Kastner lived in Hamilton from 2009-2017 with his wife, Lee, and three daughters - Danielle (Zach) Avery, Taylor and Jennifer (Blake) Stidham. Taylor and Jennifer are graduates of Hamilton High School.
Kastner now lives with his family in Charlotte, N.C., and works as a real estate broker. He is also involved in international disaster relief as a responder for Samaritan’s Purse based in Boone, N.C., and has participated in relief missions to Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Sipan and Honduras.
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