Todd Barrack helps at an American Red Cross shelter.
By: John Rose
Over the past year, Todd Barrack has been an anchor for the Northeast Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross, offering his expertise and compassion for disaster relief efforts. His journey as a volunteer not only reflects his deep commitment toward preventing and alleviating human suffering, but also the ability for one to find purpose and inspiration by serving others.
Before joining the Red Cross, Barrack was no stranger to nonprofit work. He had previously volunteered for an animal shelter and at a speech and hearing center. However, he found himself wanting to do even more for the world.
“I always had an interest in emergency management, and I said if I was going to make a career change, it would be there,” Barrack said. “The Red Cross really helps people […] and you see it every single time you do something for them.”
His primary duties as a volunteer revolve around disaster response, helping dispatch teams throughout the 14 counties served by his chapter. Toward the end of September, when Hurricane Helene struck the Southeast, he saw the opportunity to go on his first deployment, which soon stretched into two deployments on the frontlines.
“I was in Mountain City, opening a shelter as the storm raged through there,” Barrack recalls. “And I told [my wife], I never felt like I am more where I'm supposed to be in my life than right now.”
Barrack found himself wearing many hats in a short period of time. He excelled in his work and quickly became an essential leader for his team.
“It was desperate times here for the first week or two. So, a lot of hours,” Barrack said. “I was a Shelter Service Associate and then a Shelter Supervisor, and then a Shelter Manager […] And I did that for a couple weeks – opened and closed some shelters – and then I moved into logistics as the Logistics General Manager.”
Todd credits much of his success to the strong support and camaraderie of the Northeast Tennessee Chapter. “Having the support of the team in the Northeast Tennessee chapter has been huge for me and has really kept me going when it comes to wanting to volunteer,” Barrack said. “Their engagement is amazing.”
Recently, Todd took on the role of Long-Term Recovery Community Program Manager, through which he helps organize local, state and federal groups to plan ahead and coordinate recovery efforts.
“Long-term recovery can take years, especially in a situation like Hurricane Helene where the devastation was pretty widespread,” Barrack explained. “So it means going to a lot of meetings, hearing everybody's voices and tracking the problems that are going on.”
Todd jokes that his ability to navigate complex situations and bring together diverse groups means he tends to end up as a leader – whether he wants to or not. But as someone who lived in Appalachia for 25 years and in Tennessee for 18, he is capable of bringing in a lot of local knowledge and connections that are invaluable for building trust and fostering collaboration. “Tennesseans are very stoic, very DIY,” he said.
Todd’s wife, a traveling nurse who also volunteers with the American Red Cross, shares his passion for helping others. During Hurricane Helene relief efforts, they met a young couple who lost their home in the wake of the storm and went above and beyond to help them get back on their feet.
“We've taken them to dinner. We personally donated them stuff we had in storage and some furniture,” Barrack said. “It's been amazing to watch them. They got an apartment, and now they're just doing fantastic, and we love that. So that was a really pretty heartwarming story for us.”
For Todd, one of the most fulfilling rewards of volunteering is the impact it has on his family.
“My grown children tell me all the time that they’re proud of me and see me as a hero,” he said. “That means the world to me.”
Today, Todd encourages others to get involved with the Red Cross, emphasizing the diverse ways that anyone and everyone can help their communities.
“One thing I love about the Red Cross is, if you don't like what you're doing, just tell them. There's a million things you can do.”
Supporting the American Red Cross’ mission isn’t just about helping others; it’s also about discovering yourself and the incredible impact you can make. Volunteers like Todd Barrack prove that. You can learn more about volunteering by visiting: redcross.org/volunteer.
“I don't think the average person necessarily thinks that they can be a hero,” Barrack said. “But you can.”
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!