During a conversation with his mother in 2005, Robert Vinluan decided to become a Red Cross volunteer after he retired from the Chrysler truck plant in Fenton. He was discussing his plans to volunteer and it was during that conversation Robert found out about his family’s connection to the Red Cross going back many years.

 

During World War II, his parents lived in the Philippines. Robert’s father was an Army officer and his mother was pregnant. The Red Cross provided them with assistance, including supplies to help his mother take care of the baby, Robert’s older brother. 

 

“I became a Red Cross volunteer because I wanted to give something back for what the Red Cross did for my family in our time of need. I still have a lot of productive years left in me. It’s rewarding for me to assist other people who need a helping hand while going through difficult times,” said Robert.

 

In addition to volunteering his time as a Lifeline installer and a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member who responds to house fires and other emergencies, Robert has gone through extensive training to become a Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) volunteer. He is among those who stand-by, ready to be deployed for national disasters throughout the country.  

 

Over the past three years, Robert has been deployed as a Red Cross volunteer to assist with disaster relief efforts for the California wildfires, the recent Kansas City ice storm and tornadoes in Southwest Missouri. He is currently assigned to help families and individuals affected by the massive flooding in Central Indiana. For the past two weeks, Robert has delivered food to shelters, hospitals and flood victims in the cities of Franklin and Columbus.

 

Robert lives with his family in Imperial, Mo. For more information on DSHR or other Disaster Services volunteer opportunities, call 314.516.2876.