Published: July 27, 2008 11:06 pm            

Lending a helping hand

Snow takes Red Cross role

After spending over 35 years in the business world, Palestine resident Bob Snow realizes the importance of giving back to his community. So, when he was given the chance to help with the revitalization of the local American Red Cross, Snow could not help but lend a hand.

Snow recently was named the Advisory Board Chairman of Anderson County for the Heart of Texas Red Cross Chapter in Waco and attended his first board meeting there Thursday.

“Ken Bratz (who recently served in Snow’s role) spoke at a Rotary Club meeting and asked for help from members of the community,” Snow said. ”I was looking for somewhere to serve and told Bratz I was interested.

“The next thing I knew, Bratz and chapter director Sandra Gage paid me a visit and asked me to serve on the board.”

As Anderson County’s representative for the Heart of Texas Chapter, Snow’s primary responsibility is to serve as a voting spokesperson for Red Cross’ needs in the county.

“The Red Cross is a much-needed agency in our community,” Snow said. “And we need everyone to get involved.

“We need financial support and are always looking for volunteers.”

The Anderson County Red Cross already provides First Aid/CPR training services to members of the community and organizes disaster services in cases of fire, tornadoes, hazardous spills and more.

“One of our goals is to establish a local office so that we can serve the community even better,” Snow said. “It is my hope that the community will see the need to expand Red Cross services and assist where they can.”

Over the years, Snow has been involved in many areas of service including: three years on the Palestine Independent School District Board of Trustees, the Palestine Economic Development Corporation, the Palestine YMCA, the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as past president of the Palestine Rotary Club (of which where he is still a member).

“I think it is so important for members of the business community to give back,” said Snow, who currently serves as general manager at Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Palestine. “That is what makes a community stronger.

“We are all part of the community and should be willing to support it.”

After working as a car salesman in Kansas City, Snow moved to Texas in the late 1970s and has been owner or part owner of four dealerships and managed several others in the Dallas area.

Snow has been living in Palestine since 1996, when he purchased the same Dodge dealership where he now serves as general manager.

“I have always loved the interaction with people that comes from being in the car business,” Snow said about his work. “It has always been a fun profession for me, never a job.”

In his free time Snow enjoys golf, yard work, and, of course, community involvement. He and his wife, Sherry, have three grown children — two daughters and one son — and five grandchildren.

The Snows are members of First United Methodist Church in Palestine.

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For more information on volunteering for the local American Red Cross, call 903-724-2825.

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

        

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