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Sherri OdellFollowing Hurricane Katrina, Sherri Odell joined members of her church on a mission trip to take supplies to the Gulf Coast. After seeing the need first-hand, Sherri knew she wanted to get more involved. In October 2005, Sherri called the Greater Kansas City Red Cross and became a member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) during the first part of 2006.
Members of the Disaster Action Team receive training to provide assistance to families affected by local disasters. Most frequently, DAT volunteers are called to residence fires to assit the families with their urgent needs, including food, clothing, and temporary shelter. These volunteers also try to provide the affected individuals with some comfort.
 “Sherri is one of our most active and compassionate Disaster Action Team volunteers,” noted Ken Cope, director of emergency services. “She is a model volunteer and we are extremely fortunate to have her.”
During her first night on-call as a DAT volunteer, Sherri went to two fires, back to back. While the Kansas City Red Cross responds to an average of two residence fires a day, this was the first time a new DAT member was called on to respond to back-to-back fires in the same night. Sherri received the first call at midnight on Palm Sunday. The second call came in at 3:00 a.m. – a half hour after she returned home from the first fire.
The woman affected at the second fire had just buried her father the week before. As a Stephen Minister at her church, Sherri was trained in grief counseling.
“It was amazing,” recalled Sherri. “The woman and I were able to make a connection that night. She was so grateful for the Red Cross, and I was able to be there to talk to her and to help her. After that, I was hooked.”
Sherri’s volunteer efforts extend well beyond Kansas City. She and her husband also participate in international missions in Guatemala where they work building schools. This year, they are taking two of their teenage boys along for the first time. In fact, all of the members of the Odell family are currently learning Spanish so they can volunteer together in Guatemala in the future.
“I was doing the international work and thought I should do something for my own country, for my city,” Sherri explained. The Red Cross gave her that opportunity. “Volunteering for the Red Cross is similar to my work in Guatemala,” she continued. “I go there and think I am going to help the people, and I always come back transformed. The clients, the people – they change you.”
Because of volunteers like Sherri the American Red Cross is able to be there, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help members of our community during their times of need. If you are interested in learning about volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross, please call (816) 931-8400.
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American Red Cross
Greater Kansas City Chapter
211 W. Armour Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111 USA |
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Phone 816-931-8400
Fax 816-531-7306 |
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