On Wednesday, June 1, Red Cross employees, volunteers and board members from the South Florida Region gathered at chapter locations across the region to celebrate and honor our more than 1,700 volunteers. Without them, we could not achieve our mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies. Volunteers were greeted at each chapter with a red carpet photo opportunity, food, beverages and goodie boxes. The event, hosted by the Volunteer Services team, was a collaborative effort across the region with Ryan Logan, Regional Disaster Officer, emceeing the event virtually.

Josett Valdez, Regional CEO of the Red Cross of South Florida, kicked off the event by highlighting the incredible accomplishments made possible by our volunteers from the previous year, which included: responding to over 1,350 home fires, making 1,029 homes safer through the Home Fire Campaign and providing over 1,000 military members, veterans and their families with critical community services.

The rest of the event was dedicated to honoring the volunteers who exemplify the Red Cross values, known as the "Five C's." No matter their role within the organization, employees and volunteers work toward a common goal: supporting the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross. They strive to follow key values that guide their actions every day. Awards were given to volunteers who exemplify those five C's:

Compassionate: The Red Cross is dedicated to improving the lives of those we serve and to treating each other with care and respect.

Compassionate Award Winner: Patricia Smith (Disaster Cycle Services Volunteer)

Collaborative: Work together as One Red Cross family, in partnership with other organizations, and always embrace diversity and inclusiveness.

Collaborative Award Winner: Susan Powers (Disaster Cycle Services Volunteer)

Creative: The Red Cross seeks new ideas, is open to change and always looks for better ways to serve those in need.

Creative Award Winner: Gary Richardson (Disaster Cycle Services Volunteer)

Credible: The Red Cross acts with integrity, is a transparent guardian of the public trust and honor our promises.

Credible Award Winner: Judy Nash-Wade (Service to the Armed Forces and Disaster Cycle Services Volunteer)

Committed: The Red Cross holds ourselves accountable for defining and meeting clear objectives, delivering on our mission and carefully stewarding donor funds.

Committed Award Winners: David Evans (Disaster Cycle Services Volunteer) & Michael Chaitin (Volunteer Services and Disaster Cycle Services Volunteer)

The evening concluded by recognizing volunteers who celebrated a noteworthy anniversary of 10 or more years of service with the Red Cross.

10 Years of Service:

Susan Atkinson 

Debbie Banks-Snyder

James Cox

Kristinya Cox 

Anthony Dalla Mura

John DuBose

Michael Gorny

Stacey Lampert

Scott Lee

Sylvia Lee

Elizabeth Leonard

Anastasia Leondis

Mark Milia

Lee Oates

Larry Ploucha 

Thomas Powell 

Michael Reeves

Victor Souza

Terri Thompson 

Sally Wilsey 

Peter Wise

15 Years of Service:

Marie Casseus

Faye Evans

Thomas Lee

Alan Lin

Elena Luca

Jonathan Martin

Holly Noonan 

20 Years of Service:

Randolph Mayweather

30 Years of Service:

Andres Avila

Kelly Koch