Mar 11, 2024 By Paul Paterra 5 min read

Adam Stokes started volunteering for the American Red Cross when a major snowstorm hit Western Pennsylvania in 2008.

The Greene County man recalls community shelters being put in place and Red Cross representatives expressing the need for shelter teams.

“That’s how I got involved with the Red Cross in the first place,” said Stokes, of Wind Ridge.

About 18 months later, Stokes decided to dedicate more time to volunteering and joined the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team.

Disaster Action Team members are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Their role is varied, ranging from offering a shoulder to cry on to meeting any immediate needs for shelter or supplies to connecting people with long-term recovery services.

The team was pressed into service March 1, when fire displaced nearly 30 people from their apartments at California Manor in California.

“When there’s a fire at someone’s house or a flood displaces somebody, we’re right there at the exact right time helping them out,” Stokes said. “If someone’s home catches on fire, they’re displaced and they can’t stay at their home that night. They need somewhere to go. They need some help, maybe some supplies, maybe some cash to keep them going, whatever their need may be. We jump in an SUV with a big red cross on it. If they need a friend, we’re there for them. Some toothpaste and a comb is wonderful, but the idea that someone cared enough is, in some ways, so much more valuable.”

The call for help can come at any time of day or night.

“Things don’t happen on any particular schedule,” Stokes said. “I’ve literally gone more than once during Thanksgiving dinner. “

Stokes, 46, also takes time to visit schools or Scout groups to talk about being prepared if a disaster should occur.

Stokes said his charitable nature is rooted in his childhood: His mother took him and his siblings to nursing homes to visit with residents.

“We would do something useful with our time,” he said. “Once you get in the habit and say this is part of your time, it’s not a burden. It becomes part of what you do.”

He said his father, a musician, started a band with his offspring that would perform shows at charitable events, many of which were fundraisers for, ironically enough, people whose homes were damaged by fire.

The father of four said his children are becoming involved in charitable efforts.

His daughter, Sarah, 13, helps with a martial arts class for children ages 3 to 5, and daughter Emily, 16, is in an EMT program at Greene County Career and Technical Center.

“She is not only going to be able to run on the ambulance when she is old enough, but her plan in life is to become a trauma nurse,” Stokes said.

Nicole Roschella, regional communications director, American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region, cited the importance of what people like Stokes do.

“These are the kinds of things that happen in the dark, behind the scenes in the middle of the night,” she said. “(He’s) leaving (his) home in the middle of the night to help a total stranger. I think that’s pretty awesome.”

For Stokes, it’s been a satisfying experience.

“It is probably one of the most rewarding things I do in my course of a year,” Stokes said. “Just to be coming upon someone in the course of them having their worst day, and say, ‘I’m right here. I’m right with you. I’ve had bad days too, but right now I’m fine. What can I do for you?'”

Volunteers needed for Red Cross

Since 1943, March has been set aside as a month to honor those who volunteer for the American Red Cross.

The first Red Cross Month proclamation was issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and every president since has followed suit.

“During Red Cross Month, we are proud to honor people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies,” said Jorge Martinez, CEO, American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania. “This relief and hope wouldn’t be possible without these local heroes.”

Volunteers comprise 90% of the national Red Cross workforce who are called upon anytime, day or night. The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania has more than 3,300 volunteers.

In 2023, the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania responded to more than 1,500 disasters and assisted more than 6,400 people.

Nicole Roschella, regional communications director for the Pennsylvania Region, said volunteer opportunities are available through the Disaster Action Team, where members try to meet the needs of those affected by a disaster or duty officers who volunteer from home, dispatching volunteers to active disaster scenes.

“There are so many things that you can do,” Roschella said. “There are roles in logistics. You can make sure supplies are at the right places at the right times. There’s just an endless amount of opportunities.Whatever you’re interested in. It doesn’t have to be going to a fire in the middle of the night.”

As part of Red Cross Month, March 27 is set aside as the 10th annual Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 supporters nationwide to help provide shelter, food relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

Anyone interested in volunteering may do so at www.redcross.org/volunteer.

“You don’t need any experience,” Roschella said. “You can volunteer for a role you have interest in or maybe you want to try something completely different. We’ll make sure you have the tools you need to be good at what you’re doing.”