Kelly Garrison, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, Long Beach, CA.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 — I volunteered for the Hometown Heroes project of the American Red Cross. The Hometown Heroes (HH) project recognizes that ordinary people in the community do extraordinary things to help others, like administering CPR to save another's life. The American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter called me and asked if I would like to help out on the HH project. Of course, I said yes right away!
 Kelly Garrison enjoyed the time she spent as a communications volunteer working on the Hometown Heroes project for the American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter in California. |
This project enabled me to do the two things that I am most passionate about - working in communications and helping my community. There is nothing more fulfilling than using my great communications strength towards an exemplary purpose. Another reason why I eagerly accepted the public relations volunteer tasks of the HH project was because I remembered the great time I had working as a communications intern with the Red Cross at its national headquarters in Washington, D.C.
As a Red Cross chapter PR volunteer, I was responsible for verifying the facts surrounding heroic incidents, informing the hero-awardees to the Red Cross chapter's HH breakfast event, and escorting the hero-awardees on the breakfast event day. It was great to know I was assisting community members who had saved other lives. I really enjoyed watching "my" heroes step onstage to hear words of gratitude from the community about their good deeds.
When I am able to again, the Red Cross is the first place I will turn to for the opportunity to serve my community. No matter where I go, I'll always strive to be a part of the American Red Cross. I would love to be a part of Hometown Heroes the next time I am able to participate, but I also remain open to other Red Cross efforts, such as Disaster Response.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
