Ready When the Time Comes

Disasters affect everyone. Businesses are not immune. Through RWTC, companies and their employees can become active participants in creating
solutions for disaster relief. The program enables our employees to make the communities where they live
and work a better place while simultaneously feeling good about being able to help.”
—Richard L. Keyser,
CEO, W.W. Grainger, Inc.

“The success of the American Red Cross in meeting the expectations of the American public depends on having a sufficient number of trained volunteers. In today’s environment that means close collaboration with corporate volunteer programs. The RWTC program is the primary way we will build these critically important partnerships.”
—Kathryn A. Forbes,
National Chair of Volunteers, American Red Cross

The American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia was selected to join
the Ready When the Time Comes program in June 2009.

The Ready When the Time Comes (RWTC) program recruits and trains corporate disaster volunteers. Partners’ employees will be trained as Red Cross disaster volunteers, providing a contingent of community-based volunteers at the ready should disaster strike.

RWTC volunteers are trained in the following areas of service:
• Sheltering
• Mass Care and Feeding
• Damage Assessment
• Bulk Distribution
• Casework
• Medical or Mental Health (licensed professionals only)
• Community Response Center
• Intake and Management of Spontaneous Volunteers
• Media and Public Relations
• Partner Liaison
• Other services, as needed by the local Red Cross chapter

This Red Cross program is founded and underwritten by W. W. Grainger, Inc., the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products in North America. Grainger is headquartered in Chicago, where Ready When the Time Comes was developed in a partnership with the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.

The Ready When the Time Comes program was developed in response to lessons learned from the 2005 hurricane season. We learned we cannot go it alone, that the Red Cross needs mutually beneficial partnerships such as this collaboration between Grainger and the Office of the National Chair of Volunteers.

Benefits of Ready When the Time Comes to Partner Organizations

Engaging your employees: 83% of Americans want their company to provide opportunities to become involved in causes;* Ready When the Time Comes provides your company with just that – a way to empower employees and help them become invested in the company’s social platform without a major time investment.

Connecting with your local community: 91% of Americans believe that it is important for companies to support a cause in the communities where they do business;* Ready When the Time Comes places your employees directly in the communities where they live and where your company operates

Think globally – act locally: As a Ready When the Time Comes volunteer, your employees align themselves with the global Red Cross movement and bring its humanitarian mission to their backyard.

Visibility for your company: Your company name and logo (when applicable) will be included on any local RWTC marketing materials, promotional activities, and media coverage

* 2007 Cone Redefining Cause Study

Ready When the Time Comes
Chapter Contact
Pam Wakefield 446-7740 or email RWTC@myredcross.net