Volunteer Russell Barton doesn't think there is anything better than helping people

April 6-12 is National Volunteer Week. Meet some of the inspiring Red Cross volunteers who help us fulfill our mission in communities across Canada.

Canadian Red Cross volunteer Russell Barton is motivated by knowing his actions will positively affect people in the future. That’s one of the many reasons he is a dedicated disaster management volunteer with Red Cross in Saskatchewan.

“I’ve volunteered with many organizations in the past,” says Russell, “but with the Canadian Red Cross, I know that when I help out, what I am doing is going to positively affect people in the future.”

After volunteering extensively with the Canadian Red Cross in Ontario, Russell relocated to Saskatchewan several years ago to further his career as a corrections officer. He was eager to continue donating his times and skills to Red Cross. He walked into the Canadian Red Cross office in Prince Albert and was greeted by a woman named Sue who said “How can we help you?” Russell responded with “How can I help Red Cross?” The fully trained and experienced disaster management volunteer was immediately welcomed onto the volunteer team, and has been busy helping people ever since.

“Russell is our most active personal disaster assistance team member, and he provides regular hours of volunteering in any program area where we need assistance,” said Sue LaFlamme, Canadian Red Cross community outreach coordinator.

Russell delivers Red Cross personal preparedness presentations, and helps families get back on their feet following disasters such as house fires, forest fires, and wide-spread floods. He has provided volunteer first aid and CPR training to staff and volunteers in Prince Albert as part of his own instructor certification process. Russell is currently working with local Red Cross staff to develop a volunteer workforce plan for the area, and has taken a leadership role in engaging and communicating with fellow disaster management volunteers.

“There is really nothing that he will not do for Red Cross,” said LaFlamme. “At our Christmas meal this past December, he surprised us by framing and matting Red Cross posters that he’d found in our storage room during his re-organization of the space.” According to Russell, Red Cross has done a lot for him and he wanted to give something back. Those posters are now proudly displayed on the office walls.

“I recommend anyone try volunteering with Red Cross,” says Barton. “At the end of the day, you are helping people, and I don’t think there is anything out there better than helping people.”

For more information on volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross, visit www.redcross.ca/volunteer