Barnhart Woman Earns Honor from American Red Cross for Volunteer Efforts

By Kim Robertson, as published in the Jefferson County Leader .

When there's a fire or some other disaster in Jefferson County, chances are good that Brittany Schumacher will be on hand to help the victims or the emergency workers.

Schumacher, 28, of Barnhart is a volunteer with the American Red Cross. She works out of the Jefferson County Service Center in Arnold.

The Red Cross recently named her Jefferson County Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. "That award honors the volunteer who has made the single most profound impact on Red Cross programs and services in Jefferson County over the previous year," said Stephen Hall, a spokesman for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.

Other Red Cross volunteers nominated and selected Schumacher for the award, Hall said.

Schumacher is a disaster team leader, which means she oversees a team of volunteers who respond to the scene of fires or other emergencies to lend a hand.

"One week a month our team is on call, and if there's any kind of response or assistance requested, from a fire department or other agency that needs us, they contact me, and I have a team of eight or nine people I contact and we go out and help," Schumacher said. "In July we had the wind storm damage. That was a larger-scale operation. For that, I was working at a shelter and cooling center, helping people cope with being without power and being displaced. It was open 24 hours for two days, and I was on the night shift, so I did two 12-hour shifts."

That was an unusual situation, Schumacher said.

"The most common is a response for a house fire, a general request for food and drinks for the firefighters and victims, and anyone on the scene," she said. "We provide them with fruit punch, coffee or hot chocolate, depending on the weather, and snacks - cookies and crackers. For the firefighters, that's something they really enjoy. They come out of a stressful, hot situation. A lot of them thank us. They're happy to see we've set up an area for them."

Schumacher and the other volunteers also tend to the victims after the disaster is over.

"Initially, our main concern is their safety and well-being, making sure they have a place to stay and food and clothes," Schumacher said. "A lot of times neighbors and family will bring them clothes and food, and they will stay with family or friends. But we have funds available if they need assistance. It's client-based.

"The biggest thing is reassuring them and offering them a little bit of hope, that although they've been through a tragic event, they're not alone. There's help out there."

Hall said Schumacher and other volunteers help disaster victims at a critical time.

"One of the things that is so important about what she does is that she and her team are among the first on the scene and the last to leave, so that recovery effort can begin right away," Hall said. "They sit down and talk with these families. No two disasters are the same and affect families differently. Many have a place to stay, but for those who don't, Brittany and other volunteers are on the scene to make sure that very night that they (victims) have a place to go, and they (volunteers) will provide that.

"Her work is so important. Without volunteers like her, the Red Cross wouldn't be able to do what it does. Brittany's service to the Red Cross and the community demonstrates what the Red Cross is all about - being there for neighbors in their time of need."

Schumacher said she volunteers about 20 to 30 hours a month for the Red Cross. In addition to her volunteer work as a disaster team leader, she teaches first aid and CPR classes.

She also has a full-time job as an emergency medical technician for Abbott Ambulance in St. Louis. Recently, she began classes at Jefferson College, working on a certification as a paramedic.

Schumacher said she has cut back a little on her volunteer hours since starting at Jefferson College.

Omar Ruiz, the Jefferson County Service Center supervisor, said Schumacher is an asset to the organization.

"When you're talking about a leader, she is one. She heads up a disaster team and makes sure they know what they're doing when they respond to disasters in the community," Ruiz said. "She's an excellent volunteer, always willing to take that extra step to help people and help our volunteers to get them engaged so they can start to take people under their wings."

Schumacher moved to Jefferson County from Detroit about four years ago. She has been volunteering with the Red Cross since 2004. She said one of the reasons she signed up as a volunteer was to familiarize herself with the area.

"When I was in high school, I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, and once I graduated and got into the real world, I started looking for other ways to volunteer," she said. "Since I had moved here from Detroit, I thought it would be a good way to meet people and get to know the community."

Schumacher said she loves her volunteer work with the Red Cross.

"I think the biggest thing, especially on the scenes of fires, is you meet somebody, its 2 a.m., and they've been displaced; their entire world's been turned upside down. To be able to sit down and hear their story and talk with them, and when it's over to be able to tell them that we can help them, whether it's giving them blankets or giving their kids teddy bears or whatever they need. To see their face when they realize, 'I'm not alone,' that's great. Also, if they have questions, we can help. Just knowing an additional resource is available really helps them."

Schumacher said she has made good friends at the Red Cross.

"The amount of camaraderie, the friendships you develop, is great," she said. "My team is phenomenal. I couldn't do the job without them."

Schumacher encourages others to volunteer with the Red Cross.

"Volunteers are our biggest resource, and there's so much available in the Red Cross to do. There's so much more than donating blood and helping with large-scale disasters, like (Hurricane) Katrina. There's something for everyone, even if it's just one or two hours a month. Every little bit helps."

Schumacher received the volunteer award, a plaque, in July at a luncheon held at the Berkshire Grill in High Ridge.

Other volunteers from Jefferson County who received awards at the event were Gerald Stevens of Imperial, Barbara Girshner of Fenton, Teena Kilo of Festus, Kim Pack of Festus, and Melinda Mudrovic of High Ridge. Also, Tom Richardson of Richwoods and Dan Staufenbiel of south St. Louis County received awards for volunteering at the Jefferson County Service Center.

To volunteer with the Red Cross, call the Jefferson County Service Center at 636-464-9150, or fill out the volunteer application online at www.redcrossstl.org.