Volunteers, board members and staff of the American Red Cross South Central and Southeast Kansas Chapter came together at their annual meeting to honor the incredible individuals who dedicate their time, energy and hearts to serving others.

The Red Cross embodies compassion, resilience and hope, and no part of the mission would be possible without extraordinary volunteers. Each of them has played a vital role in delivering relief, comfort and support when it was needed most.

Each award honors a different aspect of volunteerism: dedication, leadership, teamwork, innovation and unwavering compassion.

Blood Services Department Exceptional Volunteer: Gary Wilks

Gary has been an unwavering pillar of support since he began volunteering in April 2015. He has gone beyond his scheduled driving duties by stepping into leadership roles as a Team Lead and Driver Instructor, a testament to his commitment to serving others. His guidance and insight have helped both new and seasoned drivers navigate their responsibilities with confidence and efficiency.

One of Gary’s greatest qualities is his trustworthiness. When he commits to a task, it will be completed with care and precision. He actively seeks to understand processes, ensuring that the information he shares with others is always accurate and helpful.

Gary is also dependable in every sense of the word. When he arrives — often early — he does so with a smile, eager to assist and uplift those around him. He graciously takes on additional driving duties, offers building tours to new volunteers and creates a welcoming environment that allows them to feel at ease. His dedication to training drivers is unparalleled, and his generosity extends to sharing his personal phone number for guidance and support.

Board of Directors Exceptional Volunteer: Heather Krull

Since joining our board, Heather has demonstrated unwavering dedication, participating in every meeting and event with enthusiasm and purpose. She has been instrumental in forging partnerships, strengthening ties between the Red Cross and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas’ disaster response team. Through her tireless efforts, she has successfully recruited new volunteers, amplifying our impact on the community.

Heather’s passion extends far beyond board meetings. She is also a devoted volunteer for Wichita Public Schools, embodying the spirit of service in every endeavor. Whether attending late-night lifesaving award ceremonies or rallying volunteers for blood drives, her commitment knows no bounds.

Disaster Services Department Exceptional Volunteer: Dorothy Peterson

Dorothy has devoted 11 years to serving South Central and Southeast Kansas, responding to home fires and emergencies at all hours, never turning down a call. This year alone, she’s responded to 50 home fire incidents — nearly twice as many as any other responder in our chapter.

As a Disaster Action Team Supervisor, Dorothy not only responds to crises, but she also mentors new volunteers, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported. Her deep passion for helping others mirrors the legacy of Clara Barton herself. Dorothy stepped up during the American Airlines crash response, assisting the mental health support team and logging 70 hours over seven days to support community members in their time of need.

Her fellow volunteer, Richard Roller, describes her as "systematic yet compassionate, an excellent mentor, and a tireless responder regardless of time, weather or distance."

Financial Development Department Exceptional Volunteer: Stacy Jones

Stacy has proven herself as a dedicated board member, using her expertise and experience to support fundraising, communications and special initiatives. She has helped organize multiple events, including Tribute to Heroes, our wine event and the impactful Videos for Heroes project.

Her strategic approach has been a game-changer, strengthening our outreach and ensuring the success of our initiatives. Stacy played a vital role in the Veterans History Project interview day, helping coordinate and execute the event seamlessly. Her positive attitude and commitment inspire those around her, making our programs stronger and more effective.

Operations Department Exceptional Volunteer: Larry Bennett

Larry is the kind of person who, in every interaction, makes you feel heard and seen. His kindness, patience and resilience create an environment where others feel supported and empowered. His ability to adapt quickly to challenges has made him an invaluable asset to our operations team, ensuring that every task is completed with care and excellence, no matter how big or small it is.

Larry’s journey as a volunteer began as a blood driver, but his dedication didn’t stop there. After retiring from driving, he stepped into fleet and facilities operations, proving time and time again that no task was too daunting for him. From leading eight volunteer working groups to painting projects and facility refresh efforts, Larry has quite literally transformed the spaces where we serve our mission.

His contributions extend beyond maintenance. Larry is the friendly face greeting blood and platelet donors, ensuring they feel welcomed and appreciated. He has stepped in for humanitarian operations on multiple occasions, answering the call to help whenever needed.

One of Larry’s most remarkable qualities is his humble spirit. He recognizes the strengths of his teammates, extends grace to all and approaches every challenge with a servant’s heart. He has helped restore flooded spaces; refresh donor rooms and disaster services areas; and even traveled to Salina, Kansas, to assist with facility maintenance. His impact is felt far and wide, and his presence strengthens the Red Cross.

Service to Armed Forces Department Exceptional Volunteer: Kathleen Hammond

Kathleen has been a steady and unwavering presence for military personnel and their families. She is always ready to step in, ensuring that programs run smoothly and that service members receive the vital support they need.

During a critical time while her supervisor was deployed overseas, Kathleen stepped up alongside another volunteer to ensure that military families continued to receive briefings upon their arrival to McConnell Air Force Base and as they prepared for deployment. Her leadership and initiative ensured that no service member was left without crucial resources during transitional periods.

Kathleen’s commitment to service dependability in times of need and resilience in overcoming challenges exemplify the very best of the Red Cross. She is a true advocate for those who serve.

Volunteer Services Department Exceptional Volunteer: Lori Schmidt

Lori’s approach to volunteer screening is nothing short of remarkable. From the moment she stepped into the role, she exhibited dedication, proficiency and professionalism. Her deep understanding of the intake and referral process enabled her to develop and implement new strategies, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in matching volunteers with the right opportunities.

As Volunteer Screening Lead, Lori has revamped the referral process, introducing a new training style that has strengthened the screening team and improved volunteer placement across the entire region. Her commitment to best practices, her ability to assess and refine processes, and her unwavering passion for doing what is best for the Red Cross set her apart.

Lori does not just meet expectations, she exceeds them, ensuring that referrals move through the intake queue smoothly, reducing rejection rates, and fostering a system that prioritizes both efficiency and volunteer success. Her efforts have transformed the screening team into a more effective unit.

Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership: Roberta Johnson

This award is reserved for individuals whose dedication, expertise, and leadership truly embody the spirit of service and humanitarianism that Clara Barton herself demonstrated.

Roberta has spent over 20 years ensuring that donors are welcomed, appreciated and cared for. She is a cornerstone of the Red Cross canteen, managing every detail with precision and pride. From organizing promotional items to maintaining a clean and welcoming space, Roberta ensures that every donor feels valued.

Her strong communication skills allow her to truly listen, engaging with donors and staff alike in ways that foster connection and trust. She brings warmth to every interaction and takes immense pride in her service, proving that it’s the little things — the folded shirts, the stocked snack baskets, the wiped-down tables — that make the biggest impact.

Roberta’s dedication to the Red Cross is noticed the moment someone steps into the canteen.

2025 Spirit of Volunteer Service Awards:

Biomedical Services: Malena Tafolla-Wilcox, Pamela Wheat

Board: Harry Willis

Disaster Cycle Services: Dustin Duncan, Brooklyn Gagnon, Judith Haffner

Service to the Armed Forces: Gary Jarchow, Greta O’Brien