When disaster strikes—whether across northwest Iowa or clear down to hurricane-hit Florida—Storm Lake’s Mike Frantz is ready to roll. The retired college admissions, financial aid, and marketing consultant has become a vital Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteer, answering calls from across the country and providing help to people in crisis wherever he’s needed.
Frantz’s involvement with the Red Cross started with retirement, but it quickly became a mission. After stepping away from his career, Frantz felt compelled to give back. Watching news coverage of disasters across the country, one name kept appearing: the Red Cross.
Frantz went through formal training and became certified last year. His first deployment was to Florida for Hurricane Milton, where he manned emergency shelters and helped deliver up to 600 meals a day to powerless neighborhoods.
Frantz has assisted tornado victims in St. Louis, apartment fire survivors in Sioux City, and responded to multiple local disasters, including fires and the Good Friday windstorm in Storm Lake.
For Frantz, the most meaningful moments come from personal interactions, like when a mother in Fort Dodge asked him for a hug after losing her home in a fire.
Though Frantz is currently the only Disaster Action Team volunteer based in Buena Vista County, he’s not alone. Red Cross teams span the country, but he stresses that Red Cross volunteering isn’t just for those who can deploy. Many roles are remote and flexible, ideal for people who want to help from home.
To explore volunteer opportunities—whether front-line or behind the scenes—visit RedCross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Frantz also welcomes phone calls at 712-291-0555.
