Volunteers With Disabilities
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Tuesdays With Chris
Chris Gude
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Chris greets everyone with a “Happy Tuesday!” during his weekly volunteer visit. He is a 39-year-old with Down syndrome who volunteers with the Lancaster County Chapter in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chris helps the chapter with brochures, making sure each is stamped and labeled. When asked about his favorite activity with the American Red Cross, he answers, “Stamping!”
Chris started volunteering for the Heartland Chapter in Omaha when he was in his 20's. He volunteered in Omaha for about 17 years and then joined the Lancaster County Chapter when he and his mother moved to Lincoln. The Heartland Chapter recognized Chris several times for his invaluable volunteer work. He was also honored by a reception when he left Omaha and still wears the jacket that the chapter gave him.
Chris’s mother said that Chris loves to be with the American Red Cross and loves to keep busy. During mealtimes, he is always asking her about everyone at the office just to see if she has anything new to tell him. He even still remembers the lady in charge and people at the Heartland Chapter.
Chris works diligently but always takes time for a kind word for anyone who passes by his desk. "Chris is a friend to everyone who walks into the Chapter House,” said Linda Maly, director of Volunteer and Youth Services at the Lancaster County Chapter. Linda goes on to say, “The mood of the staff is always more positive on Tuesdays when he's working-you may have read the book Tuesdays with Morrie, he is our 'Tuesdays with Chris'.” She does recount one time when Chris was not happy though. It was the week she was out of the office and wasn’t able to pick Chris up to volunteer that week. He wasn’t happy because he wasn’t able to volunteer!
Besides volunteering with the Red Cross, Chris enjoys staying active. He likes to exercise, swim and go bowling. Chris is also a member of the Friendship Club which meets weekly to socialize and participate in a variety of activities. He can also been seen cleaning the sidewalks, raking the leaves, and scooping snow during the winter.
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