After almost 26 years with the United States Air Force as a jet engine mechanic and later as an officer managing aircraft maintenance, Bob O'Day chooses to give his free time in service to fellow military veterans.  

"One of the reasons I stuck around the military is I like to make a difference. I feel like I can do some of that with the American Red Cross," said Bob on his motivations for volunteering with the Red Cross of South Carolina.  

Bob initially signed up as a Red Cross volunteer in 2017, but it was a role with the South Carolina Region's Operations Team last fall that Bob found his stride as a volunteer. After learning from Karen Cook that the Lowcountry Red Cross Chapter fleet needed some work, Bob eagerly agreed to join the team as a Fleet Coordinator to get the vehicles back to serviceable condition after they laid dormant during the pandemic. 

In January this year, Bob became more and more involved with the Service to the Armed Forces team.  

"In the Service to the Armed Forces realm, I do casework calling family members to follow up for emergency communications when there's a death in the family," Bob's experience as a veteran enables him to empathize with families and service members directly. "Sometimes I see the date of birth, and it's in the same vintage that I am, the same era that I am, sometimes even younger than I am, that's quite a shock for the family. Anything we can do to lessen that will be beneficial." 

With the often sad nature of the work, Bob does his best to complete the task of verifying emergency news while also respecting the families at the center of each case.  

"I try to do some research and maybe even google to see if there is an obituary because otherwise, I could ring someone's phone when they are sitting in the services for their loved one," said Bob on the sensitive tasks he completes as a Service to the Armed Forces volunteer. "That's the bigger thing is trying to be compassionate and aware of how you're catching them on some of the worst days of their life." 

Bob also carries the VA (Veterans Affairs) Volunteer Services Coordinator title, which involves attending meetings and determining the American Red Cross's role in supporting the VA hospital and veterans.  

"One of the main things I do is deliver goods from Publix to our VA here in Charleston – that's a beloved program," said Bob of one of his many volunteer assignments. "The vets love cookies and baked goods; that seems to make their day. Also, whenever needed, the VA delivers food to homebound vets. I'm the last-mile guy that picks up the food from the VA and takes it to vets' addresses if needed." 

When delivering food and groceries, Bob doesn't typically interact with the recipients. Volunteers bringing goods to a veteran's doorstep were instructed to do a contact-less delivery during the pandemic.

"I delivered to a woman who was wheelchair-bound, and she happened to pick up the phone when I pre-called to announce that I was going to be there. She met me at the door and said, 'please don't set it down, I can't pick up stuff from the floor very well,'" Bob recalls a delivery when he made a big impact with a small action. "I didn't go in and help her unload, but just a simple act of setting it on her lap so she could roll it into the kitchen versus putting it on the ground made a big difference for her." 

When asked what he would say to encourage others to sign up as a Red Cross volunteer, Bob said, "Anybody can make a difference; it's just a matter of raising your hand." 

Join Bob in making a difference. Find the perfect volunteer opportunity to make your skills and interests here: redcross.org/volunteer.