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Red Cross Volunteers Inspire by Example
Written by
Mary Etta Boesl
, Special to RedCross.org
Friday, April 30, 2004 — Across the country, the American Red Cross celebrated National Volunteer Week, a special time to recognize the tremendous contributions of more than five million Red Cross service volunteers and blood donors. The theme for National Volunteer Week 2004, April 18- 24, was Inspire by Example. Red Cross volunteers, 97 percent of the organization’s labor force, inspire by example every day. It is because of volunteers that the Red Cross is able to achieve its mission to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The Houston-Middle Georgia Chapter recognized more than 40 volunteers with a pancake breakfast. Chapter board members acted as chefs, cooking up pancakes and sausages and serving them with rolls, juice and coffee. Volunteers shared stories about the past year as the sun reflected from glittering, star-trimmed tablecloths.
Houston-Middle Georgia Chapter board members prepare to honor Red Cross volunteers with a thank you breakfast.
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The chapter’s Board Chair, Sharon Jackson, and its Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Carchedi, thanked volunteers for their amazing accomplishments and passed out certificates of appreciation. Each volunteer also received a care package. Inside were several items, including a heart because volunteers are caring; a mint because that’s how much a Red Cross volunteer is worth; and a rubber band to remind volunteers to be flexible.
For National Volunteer Week, Florida’s Martin County Chapter unveiled a Humanitarian Hall of Fame that recognizes volunteers with 20 or more years of service. Fourteen volunteers were inducted as charter members, including Richard McHardy who has been a Red Cross volunteer for 63 years, Ritamarie Nuhn, a 40-year volunteer, and 30-year volunteer Thelma Riedel. Executive Director Mary Sawyer thanked the chapter’s veteran volunteers for their “humanitarian spirit” and their “untiring contributions.” In future years, it will become a chapter tradition to install volunteers with 20 years of service into the Humanitarian Hall of Fame during National Volunteer Week.
Central North Carolina Chapter board member Toby Barfield (right) helps magician Thom Wright during the chapter’s annual volunteer recognition celebration.
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More than 100 volunteers attended “Celebrate the Magic of Volunteerism” hosted by the Central North Carolina Chapter in Durham. The annual volunteer recognition event held during National Volunteer Week is a time for the chapter to recognize exceptional volunteers, award service pins and generally recognize all volunteers within the chapter. Recipients of service pins include a 35-year service pin to Rosie Stockbridge and 30-year pins to Fran Turner and to Chuck Kitchen who also serves at the national level as chairman of the National Awards and Recognition Committee. This year volunteers were honored with a magic show presented by magician Thom Wright, and a wonderful swordfish meal catered by Whole Foods Market.
Many Red Cross chapters are currently recruiting volunteers. For information on opportunities in your community, click here.
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