“The fulfillment function is an interesting one; it’s fairly new overall in the Red Cross. It’s a way to really address immediate needs in shelters,” said Dale Vollenweider, an American Red Cross volunteer from Indiana. “Our primary focus is getting the goods to the shelters within one day.”

Dale has deployed to national disaster relief operations more than 30 times. His latest trip brought him to Greenville, SC where he leads the fulfillment function serving people impacted by Hurricane Helene in North and South Carolina.

“It’s a challenge to get to where the people are who’ve been impacted. The routes are longer to deliver supplies, but we’re making it work,” Dale describes the unique challenges of delivery essential supplies into areas in Western North Carolina that remain difficult to access. “The warehouse had to be here in South Carolina because this is where we could find a facility that was available and had power, lights and the infrastructure we need.”

Dale mentioned his last 5 or 6 deployments have all been in the fulfillment function because he likes to see the impact of his work.

“If shelter residents need something, we have the authority to go get it. We do what we need to do to meet the needs. Our philosophy is ‘every shelter, every need, every day,’ and we’re fulfilling that as best we can,” Dale describes the relatively new role of the fulfillment team. “It’s also great for my team; we’re loved by the shelter staff because we bring them trucks full of stuff that they’ve ordered and it’s like Christmas every day!”

On Halloween, Dale’s fulfillment team had a little bit of fun dressing up in costume as they prepared a delivery of donated candy to be distributed in shelters in North Carolina.

“Shelter managers will be handing out trick-or-treat bags to the kids today,” said Dale. “Their lives have been totally disrupted and this is a chance to bring a little bit of normalcy to a very abnormal situation.”

Join Dale in making a difference in the lives of people impacted by disasters big and small. Sign up as a Red Cross volunteer: redcross.org/volunteer