Pastor’s continuous efforts to help others recognized

Carla Aveledo
Posted 9/11/14

John Wheeler, a Warwick resident, has been offering his expertise on disaster relief to those in need since 2010 and continues to expand the ways he can help. 

The American Red Cross, Rhode …

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Pastor’s continuous efforts to help others recognized

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John Wheeler, a Warwick resident, has been offering his expertise on disaster relief to those in need since 2010 and continues to expand the ways he can help. 

The American Red Cross, Rhode Island chapter, acknowledged his strides in bettering communities around the state and awarded him the winner of the Spirit of the Red Cross Hero Award.  

“I’m just doing what I love to do,” said Wheeler.

Wheeler has been a pastor at the Stony Lane Baptist Church for more than 19 years and was previously a pastor in Connecticut and Minnesota.

Wheeler plays a vital role when Rhode Island is hit by natural disasters. He is on task forces to respond to trauma and stress. After the floods in 2010, Wheeler joined the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and was shelter manager during 2012’s Hurricane Sandy and nor’easter Storm Nemo in 2013. VOAD is an organization that provides knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle such as preparation, response, recovery and mitigation. As shelter manager, Wheeler oversees that temporary housing is set up and that volunteers are providing necessary assistance. 

Wheeler became affiliated with the Red Cross and furthered his knowledge on disaster relief by taking courses on post-disaster stress and trauma. He has worked with VOAD throughout New England and continues to work on an advisory team on how to handle disasters. 

“If a school shooting occurred in the state, I would be part of a team that would respond to the psychological response side of it,” said Wheeler. 

A friend, Bruce Mastracchio, who plans to get involved with the Red Cross disaster relief in the near future, said Wheeler is very deserving of the award.  

“He is so passionate for what he does, especially his work with CareNet Rhode Island,” Mastracchio said.

Wheeler is the president at CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rhode Island. The center offers abortion alternatives for women with crisis pregnancies while offering resources for different decisions. Just last month, Wheeler said they had 77 appointments.

Mastracchio said Wheeler is constantly attending meetings for all of the programs he is affiliated with.

“He is modest and impressive, he deservers all the credit he can get,” Mastracchio said.

Starting new programs of relief is important to Wheeler. He and the disaster coordinator of Rhode Island created a workshop on the effects of trauma and stress on spirituality. He said this is often an element that is not discussed because many don’t know how to approach the topic. He said it’s common for people to question their morals, spirituality or beliefs after a traumatic experience. Social workers or professionals who work in hospitals are involved in these workshops too to make it more comfortable.

“I consider myself a person who is blessed and who is able to do something and make an impact on peoples’ lives,” Wheeler said. “And to make Rhode Island a better place to live.”

Wheeler said he was surprised to have been selected for the award. He said he is humbled and thankful for the recognition. The winners for the award will be honored at the Hero Awards breakfast on Oct. 24 at 7:30 a.m. at the Omni Providence Hotel.

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