Father and Son Deploy and Reunite in Kentucky

By Edgar Zuniga

“I knew it would happen eventually,” said Joe Poplawski, Red Cross New Jersey Region Disaster Program Manager. Joe has deployed about a dozen times over the last couple of years, but it’s the first time he has worked with his dad, also named Joe Poplawski, on a deployment.  

JoPop, left, with his father, Joe Poplawski

The elder Joe, who lives in southwest Florida, has deployed half a dozen times as a Red Cross volunteer, from Texas to California. Son Joe, who goes by JoPop at the Red Cross, credits his parents for his commitment to service. “They were always very charitable. I wanted to keep giving back. I joined the Red Cross and they hired me,” JoPop said.  

It’s truly a family affair. “I’ve tried recruiting my wife because it would be nice if we could deploy together,” the elder Joe said. But JoPop’s wife and kids are Red Crossers, so there are three generations of Poplawskis active in the Red Cross!  

Both JoPop and his dad make it a point to see each other multiple times a year, but seeing each other on this deployment has been special.  JoPop is deployed as the Deputy Assistant Director of Recovery and his father is doing shelter work, including driving our emergency response vehicles in eastern Kentucky. The love and pride between father and son is evident to everyone who interacts with them. It is thanks to Red Crossers like JoPop and his dad that we can respond to disasters when people need it the most.  

Learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org.