Recently, employees, volunteers, and board members from the South Florida Red Cross gathered at chapter locations across the Region to celebrate and honor volunteers. Without dedicated and compassionate volunteers, the Red Cross could not achieve its mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies.

Each event highlighted the incredible accomplishments made possible by our volunteers from the previous year, including installing 2,622 smoke alarms, making 1,066 homes safer, and deploying over 194 South Florida volunteers to support disaster relief operations across the nation.

The rest of the event included light bites, beverages, and networking, while special recognition was given to volunteers who have achieved significant years of service within the Red Cross.

5 Years of Service:

Nancy Barlaug

Mike Germain

Ruben Daniel

Chris Ciccotelli

Gladys Correa

Felitia Dozier

Nancy Dzoba

Mitch Kassel

Rebeck Marcelino

10 Years of Service:

Donna Ferrante

David Kirk

Ronald Nordmann

Jessica Reed

Barb Rodriguez

20 Years of Service:

Rene Favreau

Sandy Gould

25 Years of Service:

Armando Flores

Yvette Perez

BECOME A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER The need to help during disasters has never been greater. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday for more information. Our most-needed disaster positions include:

• SHELTER SUPPORT: Help at a shelter during a large disaster by welcoming and registering residents, serving meals, setting up cots, distributing blankets and personal hygiene kits, and providing information and other assistance to people in need. 
• HEALTH SERVICES: We also need volunteers who can use their professional skills as a licensed health care provider to deliver hands-on support, including care and education to people staying at a shelter during a large disaster. Qualified licenses include RN, LPN, LVN, EMT, Paramedic, MD, DO, PA, NP and APRN. 
• DISASTER ACTION TEAM: While big hurricanes get the most news coverage, smaller disasters, such as home fires, are no less devastating to those affected. Join your local Disaster Action Team to help families in need by providing food, lodging, comfort, recovery assistance and other support.

Written by Stephanie Wesseling, American Red Cross Public Affairs

Photos by Veronica Block and Paula Bonasia, Visual Storytellers