By Kim Morava

Courtesy: The Shawnee News-Star

Ray Schachner of Shawnee is a beacon of hope for many through his volunteer and disaster relief efforts with the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

Schachner is a leader who trains volunteers and serves on the local Red Cross Disaster Team. Disaster response can include something like the wide-spread damage and outreach efforts that occurred after the April 19 tornadoes, or responding to an overnight house fire in the middle of winter to assist those who just lost their home.

With his Red Cross training and certifications, he can open and operate an emergency shelter and was involved in the shelter and disaster relief in Shawnee last April. That can include responses for immediate shelter, food and other services.

Schachner, who is originally from New York, spent many years living in Florida and moved to Shawnee about three years ago to be closer to his grandchildren. In learning more about the community he now calls home, he found a place volunteering with the Red Cross about two years ago.

And his involvement started where he least expected. He and his grandchildren were attending a local Touch a Truck community event, which allows children a chance to see emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks, and interact with first responders. While there, he became involved in a conversation with someone from the Red Cross who was talking about fire safety and sharing how they needed volunteers. And although he works a full-time job, Schachner, who was raised to always help others, saw it as the perfect opportunity to get involved in Shawnee.

“I was looking for something to do – I needed to get out and meet people and help people,” he said, saying he’s always believed “If someone needs help, you help them.”

And so, his service began. Now, he’s a local Red Cross leader and helps train new Red Cross volunteers, responds to fires, disasters and can even do storm damage assessments.

His response area includes Shawnee and about an hour to the east and south. He also provides education-type community training, from fire safety and how to prepare for disasters, and is involved with smoke detector installation events.

When helping people, he finds it both rewarding and heartwarming. It’s not uncommon for him to respond to an overnight house fire and arrive to find people standing there in the cold, wearing shorts and a shirt and watching their home and belongings disappear.

He immediately helps by giving them blankets and helps get them immediate assistance and funds so they can get a hotel room, go buy clothing and get something to eat.

That initial help is critical, he said, and then follow-up services may include helping replace lost medications, or glasses, for example, or help with finding a new place to live.

Volunteering helps him meet people, he said, but he is also giving back and helping people when they need it the most, so he said he feels good being a part of the American Red Cross.

His volunteer hours can and do vary day-to-day, but for Schachner, the norm could be anywhere from 100 to 200 hours per month, or usually more, while working around his full-time job. And once he retires, he said he plans to volunteer even more.

Loida Haffener Salmond, executive director of the Red Cross South Central and Southeast Oklahoma chapter, nominated Schachner for his commitment and “unwavering dedication” to serving others through his selfless volunteer efforts.

“Ray’s tireless work as a Disaster Action Team Responder stands as a testament to his compassion, resilience, and unyielding commitment to those in need,” she said. “Ray embodies the true spirit of humanitarianism. As a Disaster Action Team Responder, he has been at the forefront of providing immediate assistance and comfort to individuals and families affected by disasters, offering comfort during moments of profound vulnerability. Ray’s genuine empathy has been a source of strength and hope for countless individuals facing adversity.”

And even beyond his role with the Red Cross, she said Schachner extends his generosity and goodwill to others.

“His dedication to uplifting others in the community knows no bounds. Whether it’s helping at a local charity event, assisting the elderly, or supporting underprivileged families, Ray is a beacon of light, spreading kindness and making a meaningful impact wherever he goes,” she said.

What sets him apart is not just his willingness to serve but his ability to inspire others to join in the pursuit of creating a better world, she said, adding that his leadership and concern encourages a ripple effect of kindness and service throughout the community.

Schachner, who said he’s just doing what he can to help others, said there’s one simple thing that everyone can do that takes little time but can make a big impact on this community, and that is to learn how to do CPR.

“Everybody should learn CPR,” he said, adding it’s the one thing anyone can do to help keep someone’s heart beating and help save a life.

Helping Hands is an annual program of The Shawnee News-Star in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to recognize and honor 12 Shawnee-area community volunteers. Magazines profiling the 2024 honorees are still available at the News-Star office. They can also be viewed under the Special Sections tab at news-star.com.