South Central and Southeast Kansas chapter announces volunteer award recipients

The American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Kansas has announced its exceptional volunteer award recipients for 2026.

Board of Directors Exceptional Volunteer: Kaley Bohlen

Kaley has been a hard-working, dedicated professional since the moment she joined the board six years ago. Over time, she has taken on additional leadership responsibilities, serving with distinction as secretary, then vice chair, and now as board chair. She consistently demonstrates her commitment by actively participating in chapter activities and representing the Red Cross with professionalism.

Beyond her leadership role, Kaley is a strong and passionate advocate within her company, Evergy. She has been instrumental in building meaningful connections and advancing our mission through strategic partnerships. Most notably, she played a key role in securing leadership support for our Tribute to Heroes event, working tirelessly to coordinate efforts, facilitate communication and strengthen relationships that contributed to its success. Her initiative and follow-through have made a lasting impact.

As a young professional, Kaley stands out as an inspiring leader and dedicated ambassador for the American Red Cross. Her work ethic, enthusiasm and commitment to service uplift those around her and strengthen our organization as a whole.

Biomedical Services Exceptional Volunteer, Blood Donor Ambassador: Gary Mason

Gary has been reliable and selfless through more than 30 years of service with the American Red Cross. He consistently steps up when needed, bringing a calm, dependable presence to every blood drive. His long-standing commitment reflects a deep sense of responsibility and care for the communities he serves.

Gary’s dedication is evident in the effort he puts forth to ensure every drive is fully supported. He regularly travels nearly 50 miles each way and willingly adjusts his schedule, even taking early morning shifts outside his preference. When additional coverage was needed, he stepped in without hesitation, demonstrating remarkable flexibility and commitment.

From his early days volunteering in Emporia and Washington County to his continued service today, Gary has remained a steadfast supporter of the mission. When asked what inspires his decades of service, he simply shared that “volunteering is just a part of life.”

Biomedical Services Exceptional Volunteer, Transportation Specialist: Hank Winesberry

Hank consistently brings happiness, helpfulness and respect to his role as a Red Cross volunteer. Always greeting others with a smile, he creates a positive and welcoming environment wherever he serves. His attitude is uplifting, and his commitment to helping others is evident in every interaction.

He routinely takes long driving shifts — often exceeding 10 hours — demonstrating remarkable dedication. He goes above and beyond by unloading supplies from his vehicle upon returning, supporting staff without being asked. Whether completing regular routes or taking on additional hospital delivery stops, he approaches every task with willingness and care. His proficiency with Red Cross Delivers further ensures his routes are efficient and successful.

His positivity and teamwork make a meaningful impact on everyone around him. He is always ready to help, never hesitates to go the extra mile and treats others with genuine respect. His happiness is contagious, and his service truly embodies the Red Cross mission.

Disaster Services Exceptional Volunteer: John Stinson

John has led the Sound the Alarm campaign with passion and commitment, and as a Disaster Action Team Supervisor, he consistently goes above and beyond. He understands the Red Cross mission and lives it every day, working collaboratively, overcoming challenges and always putting our clients first.

Whether it’s a late-night response or a large community effort, John shows up with reliability, compassion and leadership.

Operations Department Exceptional Volunteer: Brandee Cressler

Brandee exemplifies the spirit of a “One Red Cross” leader. While she serves in Disaster Cycle Services, her impact has reached across every line of service in the organization. She consistently steps forward to meet needs wherever they arise, demonstrating both initiative and a deep commitment to our mission. Her willingness to support others sets a strong example for everyone.

Brandee leads and organizes weekly office workdays, coordinating volunteers and ensuring meaningful progress each week. Through her efforts, the workspace has been transformed into a more organized, efficient and welcoming environment for staff and volunteers alike. From supporting Blood Services projects to leading large-scale decluttering and organization efforts, Brandee’s attention to detail and dedication are evident in everything she does. Her leadership has made a lasting, visible impact throughout the Wichita building.

Just as importantly, Brandee fosters a sense of connection and belonging among our volunteers. She warmly welcomes new team members, helping them feel engaged and inspired from the moment they arrive. Her positive energy is contagious, and her commitment to service is unwavering.

Service to the Armed Forces Exceptional Volunteers: McConnell Pharmacy Group

The American Red Cross is proud to recognize its unique and impactful partnership with the McConnell Air Force Base Pharmacy. This dedicated team of 13 Red Cross volunteers has contributed more than 1,000 hours of service, supporting pharmacy clients within the military clinic and significantly reducing wait times for those in need of care.

Beyond their daily service, members of the pharmacy volunteer group have demonstrated exceptional leadership by actively recruiting new volunteers among clients, ensuring the continued growth and sustainability of a program built on excellence. Their commitment not only enhances efficiency, but it also strengthens the foundation of compassionate service that defines the American Red Cross.

Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership: Judith Haffner

Compassionate. Committed. Invaluable.

Judith exemplifies these qualities through her extraordinary dedication as a volunteer nurse with the American Red Cross. Since 1999, she has consistently gone above and beyond the expectations of volunteer service, bringing both professionalism and compassion to every interaction with the people we serve.

In the most recent fiscal year alone, Judith contributed more than 1,500 volunteer hours, an exceptional commitment that reflects her unwavering devotion to the Red Cross mission. Her client-centered approach ensures that every individual she serves feels supported and cared for.

Judith’s impact extends well beyond her impressive hours of service. She is diligent in following up on cases, ensuring continuity of care so no client is overlooked. Her creativity in addressing complex needs allows her to find meaningful solutions, even in challenging situations. By maintaining her nursing license in multiple states, she eliminates barriers to care and ensures she is always ready to respond wherever she is needed most.

Her willingness to serve across state lines and deploy at a moment’s notice demonstrates a level of commitment that is truly unmatched. Judith’s ability to combine clinical expertise with deep compassion sets her apart and makes her an invaluable asset to our organization.

Inspired by these volunteers? Put on a red vest and join us. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find out how you can support your community.

Awards were announced at the chapter annual meeting on June 11 in Wichita. See more event photos on our Flickr page.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.