Tim Downey: Wrapping up 20 Years of Red Cross Fundraising Service

“I am most looking forward to connecting with other alumni through ARCAN, hearing their stories and finding ways to volunteer.” 

Tim Downey began his career with the American Red Cross during the fall of 2005 as relief efforts continued following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and retires 20 years later, on October 24. It is estimated that Tim has raised more than $100 million during his Red Cross career.

One of Tim's fondest experiences with Red Cross happened following training in Geneva with the IFRC and the ICRC. “I traveled with a group of donors and fellow Red Crossers to Benin to witness a large measles vaccination campaign,” said Tim. “The groups included an interesting blend of interested donors and the wonderful actor Sydney Poitier. As the group traveled around rural Benin in vans to visit vaccination sites, our van became separated from the group and lost. We stumbled upon a group of young people waiting to be vaccinated. There was a table and a chair under a tree. That was the ‘vaccination office’ and there were a dozen or more young mothers and children waiting their turn. A small boy wearing a bright orange shirt asked me in French my name. We talked a bit, and I asked him to pose for a photo with me. Within minutes we were surrounded by a large group of youngsters who all wanted to be in the photos. This remains one of my best memories in twenty years.”

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In the wake of Katrina, Kay declared her chapter would become a leader in community preparedness and resilience building

“When I think back on Hurricane Katrina, I think of the resilience of people, how the landscape changed for all people affected and for the Red Cross. Red Cross demonstrated its ability to change and adapt. I also think of the stories of my staff, and how many of them had to work in a challenging environment that they were not trained for.”

In 2011 Kay Wilkins was selected for President Barack Obama's "Champions of Change" program that honored everyday Americans doing extraordinary work to make a difference in their communities. Kay was the CEO for the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross when Hurricane Katrina, and resulting rains and levee breaks, flooded 80% of New Orleans.She worked for the American Red Cross for 45 years, before retiring last February. 

During the response and recovery phases of Hurricane Katrina, Kay and her team worked tirelessly to meet the needs of her community, but at a time when others took only lessons about organizational response from Katrina, she declared that her chapter would become a leader in community preparedness and resilience building.

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A Q&A with Peter Teahen - 

Includes his Around the World Flight to End Polio