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Chapter is Ready When the Time Comes Thanks to the recent launch of a new corporate volunteer program, your Kansas City Red Cross will be ready with adequate volunteer support in the event of a large-scale, local disaster. Founded nationally by W.W. Grainger, the Ready When the Time Comes program is a unique partnership between the Red Cross and local businesses to ensure that communities are prepared to respond, at a moment’s notice, when disaster strikes. The Kansas City program launch also included Sprint who joined the effort as the Local Lead Sponsor of the program. “The employees from Grainger and Sprint represent the best in corporate America,” said Matt Meyer, C.E.O., American Red Cross Greater Kansas City Chapter. “Their example and inspiration have led to a significant increase in our local volunteer base, one which will greatly impact the service we can provide to the Kansas City community in the event of a disaster.” As part of the launch, 30 employee volunteers from Grainger and Sprint participated in a simulated shelter preparedness drill executed by the American Red Cross Greater Kansas City Chapter as a training exercise. The 1-1/2 hour simulation included training the volunteers on how to set up and staff a shelter for displaced victims during a disaster. Volunteers practiced mock registration procedures, the set up of cots and distribution of bedding, as well as food preparation and distribution. The Greater Kansas City Chapter is the first to launch the Ready When the Time Comes volunteer program as part of the national rollout. This new disaster preparedness program enables the American Red Cross to recruit and train volunteers from local companies and organizations so they can be mobilized quickly. Program volunteers receive free, specialized training in critical disaster response, such as shelter operations, mass care, community response center, and damage assessment. In the event of a local, large-scale disaster, the Red Cross can count on Ready When the Time Comes corporate partners to support their local efforts. The 2007 goal for the Chapter is to recruit and train 100 volunteers for this program through partnerships with local corporations. “Grainger has been committed to helping its neighbors in Kansas City get the supplies they need to respond, recover and rebuild when disasters strike for 70 years,” said Kevin Peters, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Grainger. “Our sponsorship of Ready When the Time Comes adds the commitment of Grainger employees to that effort. We are pleased to partner with the Greater Kansas City Chapter in launching the program locally and welcome the employees of Sprint to the program, whom we look forward to working with in providing much needed assistance to Kansas City area residents and businesses in times of crisis.” “Giving back to the community is a core value at Sprint, and at no time is this more evident than during a disaster,” said Debby Ballard, Director of Community Relations for Sprint. “Our employees know this and were only too eager to assist with this important project. By preparing for such emergencies in advance, our employees know they will be there to offer crucial support when Kansas City needs it most.” Ready When the Time Comes is designed to bring together the resources of local businesses to create pools of trained volunteers ready to assist when disasters strike. The program will rollout in 16 cities across the country over the next two years. For more information on the program, please contact Sara Loar at (816) 841-5241. Back to News American Red Cross Greater Kansas City Chapter 211 W. Armour Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64111 USA         Phone 816-931-8400 Fax 816-531-7306 © 2003-2008 The American Red Cross. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy