By: Suzanne Lawler, Regional Communications Manager

A house fire is a scary, daunting and life-changing event. One volunteer from the American Red Cross of Georgia helps ease those fears as he shows up time and time again. Although he may not say many words, his actions speak to the love he has in his heart for people facing a disaster.

Gary Resta began volunteering with the Red Cross Central Midwest Chapter about a year ago after he retired from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), traveling around the southeast installing electronics in airports.

“When I was in the FAA, I did some hurricane restoral stuff and I thought I could do similar stuff at the Red Cross,” he said. Restoral with the Red Cross means building bridges to get people help like a hotel room or even a hot meal.

Think of Resta as a Red Cross first responder. When the fire department calls in the Red Cross after a home fire, Resta may leave his house day or night as part of the Disaster Action Team. The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters a year across the U.S. The vast majority are home fires.

“We give them blankets, toiletries, and toys for the kids. Things like that just to get them through the next day or two,” he said.

As the flames fade it’s a sensitive time, a time when a person can feel like they just got a gauntlet of a gut punch. Resta is there to help with comfort and compassion. BJ Dawson Chism, the Red Cross of Georgia’s Business Operations Coordinator in Macon, nominated Resta for the Disaster Action Team member of the year because of his kindness and care after such an emotional time for families.

“We need people that are ready to go and take care of our community, whatever our community needs, and Gary exhibits walking the walk without ever saying a word,” Dawson Chism said.

Helping is in the fabric of his DNA and no job is too small.

“He is a great guy to work with. He is very humble, very nice, very caring. He always asks me, ‘BJ do you need me to do something?’ That’s Gary,” she said.

His desire to help someone, whenever the call comes, led Resta to win the Disaster Team member of the year plaque. The man who logged 672 hours in his freshman year didn’t get a chance to attend the volunteer appreciation dinner in April, so he got the surprise and the accolades on one of his routine stops into the office.

“I said, well, terrific. I didn’t expect that,” he said with a grin. “I expected maybe a certificate but that was awesome.”

Resta says he’s not a people person and maybe that is true, but you can’t call him shy and he’s a far cry from standoffish. Dawson Chism hit the nail on the head, “I know he describes himself as an introvert, he is not an introvert he is intentional.”

A humble man who has made his mark in a short amount of time by caring for people and quietly living the Red Cross mission every time his phone rings.

JOIN US ─ VOLUNTEER While volunteers of all types are needed, the Red Cross has a critical need for three specific positions. These roles are a great fit for those who are team-oriented and want to make an immediate difference. Free online training will be provided. 

• As a Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer, people can be a source of refuge and comfort for neighbors when they need it most. DAT team members provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.
• As a Shelter Services volunteer, people can support the day-to-day activities within an emergency shelter. This includes helping residents in different shelter areas such as reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or others.
• As a Disaster Health Services volunteer, people can use your professional skills as a licensed healthcare provider to deliver hands-on care to people in shelters. Volunteers also provide additional support including health assessments, health education and much more.

Just like the people served by the Red Cross, the organization is proud its volunteers represent a wide array of cultures, backgrounds, ages, gender identities, lifestyles and beliefs. Everyone is welcome.

Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started today.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.