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Life Experience Brings in New Volunteer
Written by
Kevin Titus
, Special to RedCross.org
Friday, September 16, 2005 — GULFPORT, MISS – When Jim Bush, CEO of City Dash, a Cincinnati -based delivery company, offered some of his trucks to the American Red Cross to deliver relief supplies after Hurricane Katrina, he scarcely realized that his offer to would lead to managing a centrally-located, 150,000-square-foot warehouse in the middle of the Gulf Coast.
Once Bush called his friend Bob Castellini, a member of the Board of Directors for the Red Cross in Cincinnati, the Red Cross brought him on board to run a warehouse in Mississippi.
Large buildings without substantial damage from Hurricane Katrina are a rarity in the area, and the competition for them is fierce, but Bush was able to secure the space for free. While the building sustained some roof and wall damage, the areas affected were a small portion of the available space.
In partnership with a group of Marines and other Red Cross volunteers, Bush had the damage cleared up and the space functioning in less than a day. Truckloads of food, water, cots, heater meals, and other necessary supplies were soon arriving for people in need. Among the warehouse’s institutional work force were three members of the Finnish Red Cross, two members of the British Red Cross, five members of the Spanish Red Cross and one from the Dutch Red Cross -- all working side by side.
Bush offered to volunteer for 30 days to support the relief operation – a significant a sacrifice for the business owner, husband, and father to three girls ages 14, 16 and 26. His wife, Iris, is the executive director of the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, a non-profit organization formed to host a national event which raises money for various charities.
Bush is also an avid sports fan whose Katrina commitment caused him to miss two home teams’ season openers and other games. Instead of sitting in a stadium seat he can be found sitting on a forklift listening to the banter of international logisticians moving pallets.
What does he miss the most? “My wife and family,” he says. “I miss the creature comforts, but especially seeing my daughters play sports.”
When asked why he offered his trucks and personal assistance he replied simply: “Because people needed help. Families needed food.”
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