President Bush traveled to Roanoke Virginia to meet with longtime Red Cross volunteer Jennie Sue Murdock.

April 24, 2002 — On the cusp of National Volunteer Week, Roanoke Valley Red Cross Chapter volunteer Jennie Sue Murdock received recognition of presidential proportions. President George W. Bush traveled to Roanoke, Virginia, Wednesday April 17 to recognize Murdock as an example of the lifetime dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans.

During his State of the Union address last January, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years of their lives--the equivalent of 4,000 hours--in service to their communities, their country and the world. President Bush is recognizing men and women from around the country who are answering the call to service as part of his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

Murdock didn't answer the call to service recently, however. She has a long professional and volunteer history with many community service organizations in the Roanoke Valley such as the YWCA, Council of Community Services, Literacy Volunteers, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, League of Older Americans, Refugee and Immigration Services, and the American Red Cross.

Murdock began her Red Cross service in 1970 as a Health and Safety instructor. She taught first aid and CPR courses as well as Basic Aid Training, and has a goal of teaching courses in Spanish. She has been on four national disaster operations, including Hurricane Fran in 1996, West Virginia floods in 1997, Hurricane Georges in 1998, and in October traveled to New York following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Murdock also helped initiate the chapter's International Services program and has promoted its mission to the community. She has volunteered at blood drives around the area, having been trained in all beltline positions, and has also served on numerous committees within the chapter.

When asked why she does disaster relief work, Murdock said, "It's tiring and exhausting but also it is a challenge. I get to meet people from all walks of life, all age groups. We are there working together for a common cause. There is something there -- of being of help, meeting a need -- part of it is being American."

While volunteering with the Red Cross takes up much of her time, she has also been involved in tutoring refugees from Afghanistan, Bosnia and Vietnam in English, taking part in a mission trip to Honduras and learning how to speak Spanish. In December, Murdock was named Humanitarian of the Year by her Kiwanis Club.

"Jennie Sue has always been an excellent representative for the American Red Cross and our community," said Roanoke Valley Chapter Manager Tom Brown. "It's the recipients of her volunteer service and the agencies that she volunteers for who see her true commitment to serving others. The employees and volunteers from our chapter couldn't be happier for her -- she's very deserving of this recognition."

Whether it is in a media interview, at a rotary club meeting or to someone on the street, Murdock never shies away from speaking about her experiences with the Red Cross and volunteering in general. In a recent interview, she was asked the importance of volunteering. "It's the opportunity to serve others," Murdock said. "You meet the greatest people and develop friendships. It's also an opportunity to continue education. To see people grow and develop is of particular interest to me." When asked what has been her most poignant moment in volunteering, Murdock replied "knowing that as a Red Cross disaster relief volunteer, I can help provide families with food, shelter, clothing, and comfort after experiencing the devastation of disaster…The Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in the world. Bringing relief and aid to humanity is the number one thing we attempt to do."

For more information on your local American Red Cross chapter, visit www.redcross.org/where/where.html.

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