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From serving as co-captain of the Disaster Action
Team to teaching preparedness courses, American Red
Cross in Greater New York Disaster Services volunteer
David Dunn's commitment to helping the Red Cross never
wavers.
David came on board with the Red Cross shortly after
September 11, 2001. "I'd heard about the Red Cross
needing volunteers and a bell went off in my head,"
David said. "I'd always thought about volunteering for
an organization like the Red Cross, but never ended up
getting involved. September 11 made me want to take
action."
And action he took. In the months following the
attacks, David selflessly offered his services wherever
they were needed. He volunteered at Pier 94, assisted
with translation for Chinese families, helped at a
respite center and a service center, staffed the local
disaster volunteer desk, and worked with numerous
Disaster Services Human Resource volunteers.
David's experience motivated him to continue
volunteering with the Red Cross long after the September
11-related tasks wrapped up. "It was important to me to
stay involved. I wanted to make a difference," he said.
With that goal in mind, David signed up to be a member
of the Disaster Action Team (DAT), a group of volunteers
who meet weekly to respond to disasters throughout the
five boroughs.
He was immediately in his element as a member of the
DAT team and particularly enjoyed being in the midst of
helping people in the field. He later took the reins as
co-captain for the Wednesday night DAT team and has been
serving in that role for nearly a year.
"When we respond to a fire, I feel like we're really
able to help people. One of the best parts about being
in the field is talking one-on-one with the clients and
letting them know all the Red Cross is able to do to
help them," he said. "One time, we met an elderly couple
who had on all the burners in the house to keep warm
since it was freezing that night. We talked to them and
helped them understand other ways to keep warm that
weren't so dangerous. I felt like we were able to make a
connection with them - and it was great."
David helps the Red Cross in countless other ways.
Most recently, he volunteered at a massive fire in
Sheepshead Bay that displaced hundreds of people. He
also worked nearly nonstop during the blackout in the
summer of 2004 to pass out water and snacks to
commuters, chauffeur volunteers to different parts of
the city, and perform numerous other vital tasks.
But David's involvement isn't just limited to being a
Disaster Services volunteer. He's also one of our most
valued instructors for Preparing for the Unexpected,
the popular Red Cross course that teaches New Yorkers
how to prepare for an emergency. He's taught at
locations throughout the city, from senior centers and
advertising agencies to investment banks and city
agencies. "A lot of people know that they need to do
something to be prepared, but they have to take the
first step. I enjoy seeing the light bulbs going on in
their heads as I'm teaching the class," David remarked.
David has his own business doing market development
and works from home, which allows him the flexibility to
arrange his schedule to teach during the day and be able
to volunteer at disasters easily. His ongoing commitment
to the Red Cross helps us carry out our mission to help
people in their time of need. "I'm so proud of my
association with the Red Cross," David said. "The
volunteers here are so committed and their willingness
to help is great."
David's commitment inspires his colleagues as well.
"David is the type of volunteer that inspires me to
continue to do my job well," said Sharon Hawa, Disaster
Action Team coordinator for the American Red Cross in
Greater New York. "His selflessness and dedication are
infectious and he continues to be a wonderful asset to
the organization and, more importantly, to the clients
we serve."
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