During the weekend’s snowstorm, a group of four-wheel-drive volunteers in Missouri and Kansas provided 400 free rides to vital workers who were unable to travel due to the weather.
The scores of volunteers who donated their off-road vehicles are members of Midwest Krawlers, a nonprofit based in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas.
For the past four years, the charity has provided its Snow Squad, a group of volunteers with four-wheel drive vehicles ready to provide free transportation to critical workers such as first responders and healthcare professionals who are unable to get to work on their own.
Midwest Krawlers President Brantley Ping stated that between Saturday afternoon and Monday at midnight, around 40 volunteers provided 400 rides to workers in the Kansas City region.
This is approximately eight times more rides than the Snow Squad provides throughout the usual winter season. Ping stated that the Snow Squad normally offers 40-50 rides during the winter. In 2024, the volunteers offered fewer than 25 rides.
The Snow Squad provided a record-breaking number of rides this weekend, but the volunteers were unable to meet demand.
Ping stated that the Snow Squad got over 1,100 requests for rides via their web form, which has since been closed due to demand and, more recently, worsening weather conditions. At some point on Sunday, Ping
Nonetheless, Ping stated that the weekend operation “worked out pretty well” and that the Snow Squad will be prepared to provide further rides as needed this winter.
When the Snow Squad request form is open, anyone in the Kansas City region who needs a ride can submit a request.
People designate their pick-up and drop-off locations and times, as first responders and healthcare personnel are the Snow Squad’s primary priorities. The requests are then entered into a spreadsheet, which Snow Squad volunteers can access when they pick up rides.
In preparation for the winter weather, Ping stated that Midwest Krawlers began recruiting for the Snow Squad on Tuesday, December 31.
What is Midwest Krawlers?
Midwest Krawlers was founded in 2016 and currently has over 750 paid members, according to Ping. Though the majority of the members are based in the Kansas City area, Ping stated that the club’s membership is scattered around the country.
Aside from Snow Squad, Midwest Krawlers holds monthly meetings and regular events and collaborates with local NGOs, including the United States Marine Corps, for a holiday toy drive.