 By Peggy Scott Arnold-Imperial Leader Thursday, January 3, 2008 Dale Chambers said his volunteer experience with the American Red Cross was so enjoyable that he jumped at a chance to work full-time for the agency. Chambers has been named the new supervisor at the Red Cross’ Jefferson County Service Center. Chambers replaces former supervisor Omar Ruiz, who left the Red Cross to return to the Arnold Police Department. Ruiz is a patrolman. Ruiz left the police department in 1999 to work for the American Red Cross. “I’d been talking with Chief (Bob) Shockey for about a year about me coming back. I had a desire to get back to working as a police officer,” Ruiz said. “And I also will be working with the city on emergency management.” Ruiz started working for the city in October, but hasn’t cut his ties with the Red Cross. “I went on fire calls in November,” he said. “I’m going to volunteer to teach CPR and work on national assignments when available.” Ruiz said Chambers has made a good start in the job. “He’s got a big, upward swing learning the county and the different people. I’m sure he’ll do fine,” Ruiz said. Chambers, 37, started his new job in November. He served as a Red Cross volunteer in St. Louis for the previous 18 months, working with the organization’s disaster action team, which responds to house fires, and with community disaster education in schools. When the job came open in Jefferson County, Chambers applied. “I knew the Red Cross was an excellent organization,” he said. “Having volunteered with them, I knew a lot of people who work with the Red Cross. When you know people and see them at work and see that they are happy – I wanted to be a part of that.” Chambers said he has worked at other non-profit organizations in the past. He said he planned to continue offering training classes and community disaster education classes at the Jefferson County Service Center. “We are looking forward to this next year,” Chambers said. “We will be trying to do a few more things and get more people involved and trained. We will be working with other organizations.” Local volunteers just finished a “Santa Cross” project. Santa Claus and Red Cross volunteers visited nursing homes and care facilities to deliver socks and candy canes. Chambers said his introduction to Jefferson County has been positive. “Everybody has just been absolutely fabulous,” he said. “I’ve been to some chamber of commerce meetings and met with emergency services organizations. As I’ve been getting to meet people, everyone has been very welcoming.” Chambers lives in St. Louis. He is married and has one child. ### |