National Volunteer Week spotlight: ‘Super Bob’ Schneider gives 1,500 hours
National Volunteer Week is April 18-24, when people across the country come together to serve others and improve their communities. Feel the joy of helping others by signing up to volunteer for The Salvation Army.
Bob Schneider’s friends and family know him simply as Bob.
Here at The Salvation Army, he has a different name: Super Bob.
“We call him Super Bob because he goes above and beyond,” said Beth Koski, warehouse manager at The Salvation Army’s headquarters in Roseville, Minn. “He is a godsend.”
Bob’s superpower is giving. During the past five years, he has given about 1,500 hours of his time volunteering for The Salvation Army.
The first time Bob volunteered was during the 2015 Christmas season, when he’d heard that The Salvation Army needed a forklift operator to move pallets of donated toys. Bob, having spent many years working at an appliance warehouse, swooped in to save the day.
“It is satisfying to know that with my help, things can be just a little easier for the people in our communities,” Bob said.
He went on to become one of The Salvation Army’s go-to volunteers for our youth programs, including back-to-school drives, Coats for Kids, and toy distributions. One Christmas, he drove three hours to Duluth to pick up 100 bikes so that 100 Twin Cities children could have a joyful Christmas.
“I give back to help the people who can’t help themselves,” Bob said.
Today, Bob regularly volunteers in the warehouse at Salvation Army headquarters to help keep it running smoothly day in and day out.
“God knows when we need help, and He puts the right person in the right place when we need them the most – that’s been Bob for us,” Koski said.
Bob is one of several Salvation Army volunteers recently honored for their service. Other volunteers include Kathy Wilkolak (5,318 hours since 2008), Audrey Henningson (567 hours since 2018), and Phyllis Haman (479 hours since 2015).
The Salvation Army is in need of hundreds more volunteers to meet the increased demand of those affected by the pandemic. Learn more or sign up to volunteer.