Bill Schneider doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘retirement’
When Clara Barton first began the American Red Cross in the spring of 1881, she did so in response to the need she saw for volunteers to step forward not only in times of war, but also in cases of local and national emergency. In fact, two of the very first instances to which the newly formed organization responded with aid were the Great Fire of 1881 in Michigan, and the tragic Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania. Today, the American Red Cross’ 650 chapters utilize the services of more than one million volunteers to carry on that mission.
Bill Schneider is one of those dedicated volunteers. When the horrible events of 9/11 unfolded a decade ago, Schneider felt compelled to respond.
“Bill became a volunteer here at the chapter right after 9/11,” said Jeannette Meiser, of the American Red Cross Muskingum Valley Chapter in New Philadelphia. “He volunteers here almost every day of the week and will do whatever, morning noon and night.”
“I just knew I had to do something,” said Schneider. “So I called the Red Cross office and volunteered to help in whatever way I could.”
Schneider drives dialysis patients to their appointments, handles logistics of delivery of emergency supplies, assists when emergency shelters are needed, and mows the lawn, among other things.
“I also make the coffee,” he joked.
“I was retired for about a year from the excavating business when I began here,” explained Schneider. “I had an uncle who retired, and then just sat down and watched TV for the rest of his life. His health dropped fast. I was determined to do it differently,” noted the volunteer. His willingness to serve even extended to going as a Red Cross volunteer to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.
“I was in the first Red Cross group that got to go in, about seven days after it happened. It was awful to see the way people down there were being treated. When you saw those people, it broke your heart,” said Schneider. Tears filled his eyes as he recalled one tiny, elderly lady who returned a second day after receiving food from the volunteers.
“She just had a big smile on her face, and I asked her if she needed more food. She said no, but then she opened up this big bag she was carrying and pulled out a cold pop for every one of us who were volunteering in that sweltering heat. She didn’t have much, but she shared with us. I’ll never forget that.”
Schneider is one of the more than 200 volunteers at the New Philadelphia office. He has taken all kinds of training offered by the organization, including mass care, CPR, shelter training, and first aid.
“Bill has a general knowledge of all aspects of what we do,” explained Red Cross director Chad Conrad. “A lot of times, people step up to volunteer during an emergency, but may lose interest once it is over. That’s not the case with Bill.”
Without a solid base of volunteers, the Red Cross could not fulfill its mission. In recognition of this fact, Schneider and two other volunteers received special honors at the Oct. 20 Volunteer and Community Recognition Dinner. Cathy Casebeer, a 50-year volunteer who has been very active with safety and swim lessons, and MaryLou Cooper, an American Red Cross volunteer for 55 years who serves in leadership roles, will also be honored with certificates and service pins.
“We really appreciate Bill, Cathy, MaryLou and all of our volunteers,” stated Conrad.
“Bill is truly is an amazing man, and just one of the most wonderful individuals I know. There is so much we could tell you about him and his generosity and thoughtfulness of others,” noted Meiser. “He’s a superstar.”
For more information on volunteering with the American Red Cross Muskingum Valley Chapter, call 330-343-8633 or visit their website at http://www.mlcredcross.org.
Bill Schneider is one of those dedicated volunteers. When the horrible events of 9/11 unfolded a decade ago, Schneider felt compelled to respond.
“Bill became a volunteer here at the chapter right after 9/11,” said Jeannette Meiser, of the American Red Cross Muskingum Valley Chapter in New Philadelphia. “He volunteers here almost every day of the week and will do whatever, morning noon and night.”
“I just knew I had to do something,” said Schneider. “So I called the Red Cross office and volunteered to help in whatever way I could.”
Schneider drives dialysis patients to their appointments, handles logistics of delivery of emergency supplies, assists when emergency shelters are needed, and mows the lawn, among other things.
“I also make the coffee,” he joked.
“I was retired for about a year from the excavating business when I began here,” explained Schneider. “I had an uncle who retired, and then just sat down and watched TV for the rest of his life. His health dropped fast. I was determined to do it differently,” noted the volunteer. His willingness to serve even extended to going as a Red Cross volunteer to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.
“I was in the first Red Cross group that got to go in, about seven days after it happened. It was awful to see the way people down there were being treated. When you saw those people, it broke your heart,” said Schneider. Tears filled his eyes as he recalled one tiny, elderly lady who returned a second day after receiving food from the volunteers.
“She just had a big smile on her face, and I asked her if she needed more food. She said no, but then she opened up this big bag she was carrying and pulled out a cold pop for every one of us who were volunteering in that sweltering heat. She didn’t have much, but she shared with us. I’ll never forget that.”
Schneider is one of the more than 200 volunteers at the New Philadelphia office. He has taken all kinds of training offered by the organization, including mass care, CPR, shelter training, and first aid.
“Bill has a general knowledge of all aspects of what we do,” explained Red Cross director Chad Conrad. “A lot of times, people step up to volunteer during an emergency, but may lose interest once it is over. That’s not the case with Bill.”
Without a solid base of volunteers, the Red Cross could not fulfill its mission. In recognition of this fact, Schneider and two other volunteers received special honors at the Oct. 20 Volunteer and Community Recognition Dinner. Cathy Casebeer, a 50-year volunteer who has been very active with safety and swim lessons, and MaryLou Cooper, an American Red Cross volunteer for 55 years who serves in leadership roles, will also be honored with certificates and service pins.
“We really appreciate Bill, Cathy, MaryLou and all of our volunteers,” stated Conrad.
“Bill is truly is an amazing man, and just one of the most wonderful individuals I know. There is so much we could tell you about him and his generosity and thoughtfulness of others,” noted Meiser. “He’s a superstar.”
For more information on volunteering with the American Red Cross Muskingum Valley Chapter, call 330-343-8633 or visit their website at http://www.mlcredcross.org.
Published: October 19, 2011
