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Bob McSweeneyShortly after Hurricane Katrina, Bob McSweeney saw an ad in the paper that the American Red Cross was looking for volunteers. Knowing the phone lines would be overwhelmed, Bob walked through the front door of the Greater Kansas City Red Cross looking to help. Ten minutes later, he was answering calls as they poured in.
When National Red Cross established a Response Center Network (RCN) phone bank at the Greater Kansas City Chapter, Bob offered to answer the calls that were coming in from hurricane victims and their families from across the United States. Bob volunteered in the RCN until it closed in December – committing a total of 286 hours to the center.
While volunteering during the Katrina response, Bob began taking the courses to become a Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer. Members of the DAT respond locally to disasters to provide assistance for immediate needs such as food, clothing, and temporary shelter. The most common disaster that DATs are called to is residence fires. On average, the Kansas City Red Cross provides assistance at two residence fires every day.
“When it’s 2:00 a.m. and 0°F outside, and you see people huddled in a car in their pajamas because they don’t have anything else, you see the need,” Bob explained. “In some cases these people have lost everything. To have the ability to at least get them started toward transition is very worthwhile.”
Bob has progressed in his training to become a DAT site coordinator – a technician that also coordinates the volunteer teams, in the event that more than one DAT is needed for a particular event. He also gives time to the Red Cross as a Disaster Services Human Relations volunteer. In this capacity, Bob is prepared to help with mass care feeding and shelter at a disaster operation. Additionally, he serves as the local disaster feeding coordinator and is preparing to be a governmental liaison during disaster.
“Since joining the American Red Cross, Bob has contributed countless hours to the Greater Kansas City Red Cross,” said Ken Cope, director of emergency services. “He is one of the go-to volunteers that is so valuable to the Chapter.”
Bob’s wife, Nancy, is also a Red Cross volunteer. On the third Friday of every month, Bob and Nancy deliver meals to homeless people in Kansas City through the organization’s Mobile Meals for the Homeless program. The program sends volunteers out once a week to feed the homeless where they live, whether that is under a bridge or on the street.
Bob makes the work of the American Red Cross possible. Because of the time he gives, the Red Cross can be there to provide its services to the Kansas City community every day. 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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