When Sherry Israel joined the Red Cross of Idaho, Montana and East Oregon as a volunteer in 2018, she was looking for a way to give back — especially in times of disaster. Little did she know that she’d become one of the key leaders in our region, shaping programs and inspiring volunteers to step up and make a difference.

After moving to Boise as an empty nester, Sherry was ready to find a meaningful way to spend her time. She started her Red Cross journey as a duty officer, and from there, expanded her role to include the Disaster Action Team and national disaster deployments.

When Sherry took over as the duty officer program lead about a year and a half ago, the team had plenty of room to grow.

“We had just a handful of duty officers when I first came back as the lead,” she said. “Now we’re 28 strong and still growing.”

Under her leadership, the program has not only expanded, but it’s also gotten national attention. Sherry’s focus on training, onboarding and keeping volunteers engaged has made a big impact.

But Sherry’s contributions don’t stop there. She’s also a key player on our region’s deployment team, helping assign trained disaster responders to national disasters. Last fiscal year, she helped deploy a record number of responders, ensuring that our volunteers are always ready to jump into action, wherever the need is greatest.

For Sherry, the heart of Red Cross service comes down to delivering help and hope when it’s needed most.

“There’s nothing like being first on the scene when someone’s experienced a traumatic event, like a home fire,” she said. “You get to say, ‘We’re with the American Red Cross, and we’re here to help.’”

It’s those moments that remind her why she does this work, and why she’s so passionate about leading others who are just as dedicated.

This year, her dedication and impact on the Red Cross mission were recognized when she received the Roy Eiguren Leadership Award, an honor given to the volunteer in our region who demonstrates exceptional service and leadership. Named after a longtime Idaho board member and philanthropist, the award celebrates those who go above and beyond for the Red Cross.

“The organization has stretched me in ways I never expected,” Sherry said. “One of the biggest challenges was becoming a disaster instructor. It was totally out of my comfort zone, but I pushed myself, and now I really enjoy teaching others and sharing my experiences.”