We are honored to present Kim Goodnow with the Massachusetts Regional Volunteer of the year award for Blood Services. Kim is a dedicated Central-Western MA board member, Tiffany Circle member and an outstanding advocate for the Blood Services mission of the Red Cross. She has devoted her life to supporting the organization’s mission, with a particular focus on Biomedical Services. As a long-time Blood Donor Ambassador and blood donor herself, Kim has contributed both her time and resources to ensure that blood drives are successful and impactful. Currently, she is actively supporting the upcoming blood drive in Nantucket this June, once again offering both financial support and volunteer time. Her commitment is deeply personal — she lost her husband to cancer last year and often shares how critical blood donations were during his treatment, as he required countless units. Kim’s unwavering dedication, personal advocacy, and generosity make her more than deserving of this award.

The Volunteer of the Year award for Disaster Services is a regional award that acknowledges exceptional service in disaster response and preparedness, highlighting the dedication of a volunteer who provides essential support to people impacted by disasters.  Janette wears many hats within Disaster Services and is exemplary in all of them.

DAT Responder, Recovery Care Supervisor, and along with her service dog Asti, she has carved out a niche visiting shelter and Red Cross events. She is compassionate and caring on DAT responses. In Recovery, she frequently goes above and beyond to make sure client needs are met through ARC resources and partners. Just this past week she worked tirelessly to make sure that a single mom with a newborn was accommodated when discharged. Janette even called the hospital directly to make sure social services were engaged and was being proactive in assisting the new mom who had lost everything. Disaster Action Teams frequently call Janette with questions from the field, and she is always willing to assist, no matter the time of day. When Janette is involved in a recovery, you know the client is in good hands!

Development is excited to honor Elisa Stogner as the FY25 Fundraising Development Volunteer of the Year Award. This is an award given to a Red Cross volunteer who has made a significant impact on our fundraising and development goals through their volunteer efforts.  Elisa is an events and administration volunteer supporting our Boston Heroes Breakfast and Boston Marathon team.

This marathon season, Elisa supported donation monitoring by keeping track of GivenGain funds in our fundraising tracker and maintaining runner data wherever needed. She supported packing and shipping of runner jerseys to be worn on Marathon Day, and new efforts to highlight runners on our Instagram stories. Elisa also supported these events in person! She staffed our check in table at the Boston Heroes Breakfast, before heading into her office job directly afterwards. On marathon day, Elisa supported Team Red Cross runners at Webster Bank by checking in runners and their families, greeting and cheering on runners after the race, and navigating the crowds to assist with lunch pickup.

Elisa is incredibly dedicated to the Red Cross mission. She took on an additional Development Administration volunteer role to support special research projects outside of event season. Elisa has helped us research youth volunteer opportunities and geographic interests of our donors and supported with wrapping Tiffany Circle holiday gifts. She always joins the team for mission moments when able to, and this year joined the Development team at the Boston Food Pantry and Sound the Alarm.

The development team is grateful to have Elisa's support and are thrilled to recognize her for her commitment!

We are proud to announce Alexis as the recipient of the 2025 International Services Volunteer of the Year award. This is a Statewide award that recognizes an outstanding Red Cross volunteer highlighting their dedication to supporting members of the military, veterans, and their families.  Alexis DiGiambattista has been a member of our Restoring Family Links team for 2.5 years. She is a dedicated, compassionate, caseworker, giving her full effort to every case she works on. She attended the Immigrant Family Services Institute symposium in March to talk about the RFL program and how it is a beneficial resource for the immigrants and refugees living in Massachusetts with approximately 150 participants. She made many great connections for our team to be able to follow up with and conduct future outreach to spread the RFL program wider into the communities.

Recently, she resolved a successful case that she had been working on for 2 years. In fact, it was the first case she ever worked on when starting as an RFL caseworker. This is an example of her commitment and willingness to work for as long as necessary with a client to ensure they receive the necessary services as both a member of the casework and the outreach team. In addition, Alexis's efforts on all RFL cases have contributed towards the program's 98% RFL Casework timeliness which has well exceeded the department’s goal.

Alexis brings a unique and important perspective to our outreach process, being able to share insights and advise us on the most likely places clients may be connected and will feel comfortable reaching out to in their communities. She is an asset to our entire RFL program and as a model volunteer that demonstrates the 5C's of Red Cross values, we are honored to present her with this year's International Services Volunteer of the Year award.

Paul embodies what this award stands for: a Red Cross volunteer who has gone above and beyond to enhance the operations and delivery of the Red Cross mission. Paul Kastner has been an irreplaceable force for good at the Boston Food Pantry. Over the past two years, Paul has been the only matching donor the Food Pantry has ever had, and his impact is nothing short of remarkable. Through his generous contributions, Paul has matched up to $25,000 each year, raising a total of $103,000 in just two years. His willingness to give, not just financially but with his heart and time, has transformed our operations and bolstered our mission to support the community.

Beyond his role as a match donor, Paul has been a steadfast Sr. Volunteer Partner to Carolyn Buchanan, our COO, offering counsel and guidance whenever needed. Whether she is present or not, Paul is a consistent source of wisdom, generosity, and encouragement. His support has been invaluable.

Paul’s contributions extend far beyond a single act of charity. He lives a life dedicated to what is right, what is generous, and what is loving, honoring his loved ones with every action he takes. This nomination is long overdue but incredibly fitting for this year, recognizing a volunteer who exemplifies dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.

We are proud to announce JoAnn as the recipient of this year's Regional Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer of the Year award. This Statewide award that recognizes an outstanding Red Cross volunteer highlighting their dedication to supporting members of the military, veterans and their families.  On her own, JoAnn has delivered mental health workshops to a record-breaking 400 participants over the past year—an incredible accomplishment that has directly contributed to SAF’s Resiliency Program surpassing its annual goal, with the region now reaching 811 participants in one year. Thanks to her extraordinary efforts, our region achieved a major milestone, being recognized as the number one region in the Northeast Division for the highest number of participants in the Resiliency program.

In addition to facilitating workshops, JoAnn attends Stand Down events for veterans, actively participates in monthly Resiliency Facilitator meetings, and collaborates with veteran-serving organizations. She consistently offers feedback, engages in partnerships, and mentors fellow facilitators as they prepare for workshops.

JoAnn also volunteers for mission moments, sharing her experiences with Red Cross staff to highlight the critical role our Resiliency program plays in supporting the mental health of military families and service members.

Her unwavering dedication as a licensed clinical social worker, her commitment to the SAF mission, and her deep care for the military community have made an undeniable impact. JoAnn has truly earned the honor of being recognized as our FY25 Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer of the Year.

The Volunteer of the Year for Sustainability is a regional award that recognizes a Red Cross volunteer who has made exceptional contributions to advancing sustainability initiatives.  Annie Dai is proudly recognized as our Regional Green Team Volunteer of the Year. A new Red Crosser and a high school student from Greater Boston, Annie has quickly become the most engaged, responsive, and productive member of our team. From the moment she joined, she dove right in and made a tremendous impact.

Annie independently researched and produced a professional-quality background document that was instrumental in securing support for our forest planting project in Worcester, which came to life on May 15 after over a year of planning. Her writing skills, initiative, and commitment to environmental sustainability have helped advance our mission in a significant and meaningful way.

Motivated, entrepreneurial, and eager to gain experience, Annie consistently seeks out new opportunities and requires little guidance to complete complex projects. While we are grateful for the many contributions from our Green Team, Annie has gone above and beyond, delivering more for our mission than any other team member this year.

Annie is an emerging leader whose dedication and drive inspire those around her. We can’t wait to see all she will accomplish at the Red Cross and beyond. Thank you, Annie!

We are proud to announce Zach as the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award for Volunteer Services. This is a Statewide award that honors a Red Cross volunteer who has shown exceptional commitment, leadership, and positive impact through dedicated volunteer service and support of the Massachusetts Regional Volunteer Services team.

Zach Valete Rodriguez has been instrumental for both the Volunteer Services and Disaster Cycle Service teams throughout the last several months as he worked tirelessly on a massive position renaming project for the Disaster team. His work in Volunteer Connection was tremendously helpful as he built custom code updates to help streamline all the updates through Power Automate. There were hundreds and hundreds of changes to make when all was said and done. Zach’s work simplified the process. In addition to his technical skills, he was a wonderful team player, always responsive and happy to help. The Volunteer Services Team is honored to present Zach with this much deserved award.

Madeleine has gone above and beyond the traditional expectations of a youth volunteer. Her personal experience of being saved by CPR as a child became the foundation of a life-changing initiative, Heart Starters, through which she now provides free CPR training to restaurant employees throughout Massachusetts.

Madeleine's vision, drive, and empathy reflect the very spirit of the Red Cross mission. Recognizing a gap in emergency preparedness in public dining establishments, she turned a traumatic event into a powerful force for good. Her initiative not only equips community members with essential life-saving skills, but it also brings safety and peace of mind to countless families who frequent these restaurants.

In addition to this impactful program, Madeleine has demonstrated consistent leadership within her Red Cross Club, fostering a culture of service, inclusion, and preparedness among her peers. She inspires fellow students and adults alike, showing how youth can lead meaningful change when given the tools and opportunity.

Her story, dedication, and innovative volunteerism make her an outstanding candidate for the Volunteer of the Year award in the Youth category. Madeleine is not just a volunteer; she is a community hero in action.

As this is the first year we are awarding in this category, we are proud to announce Paul Hoy as the first recipient. The Clara Barton Award is a Massachusetts Regional award given to a Red Cross volunteer who embodies the American Red Cross values, known as the “Five C’s:” Collaborative, Credible, Compassionate, Creative, Committed.

Paul has been a role model for many Disaster Action Team members across Greater Boston and the Region. Paul has that rare combination of high energy, technical excellence, deep Red Cross knowledge and fearlessness. No matter what the Grey Sky event is in Massachusetts, Paul is often not only able to assist but he "runs to the fire," so to speak. He does not dodge tough situations. He embraces them and works them through to conclusion. In addition to his amazing Grey Sky skills, Paul also is an outstanding leader in our Blue-Sky activities. And (as if that's not enough), he deploys nationally in challenging leadership roles.

Paul's credentials are manifold and monumental. He currently serves as a volunteer partner to CEO, Holly Grant. Paul has represented MA as an adept and inspiring leader on national DRO’s and served in roles from boots on ground to the boardroom, an incognito foot soldier simultaneously shouldering leadership roles across the region. But perhaps most remarkable about Paul is his profound humility, accessibility, and earnestness: he is approachable and patient, an active participant, a helping hand, a compassionate listener, a fountain of information, unfailingly supportive of and generous with his teammates and mentees. Until there is a "Paul Hoy Award," there is no award quite big enough to capture his strengths, contributions and depth of caring and character. Paul, we think the world of you. Thank you for your light and leadership.

On behalf of the entire Boston Food Pantry team, we are proud to recognize Nicolas Altekruse as our 2025 Volunteer of the Year. This is a Chapter award given to a Red Cross volunteer to recognize exceptional contributions to the Red Cross Boston Food Pantry which supports those who are struggling with food insecurity. Nicolas has been a volunteer since 2019. In the past six months he has stepped up and become an essential member of our team. His dedication to the continued success of the pantry is unmatched. He has begun helping with scheduling volunteers and managing the many emails that come in, using it as an opportunity to both hone his written communication and professionalism but also to take some of the workload off staff. He uses his humor and humility to engage volunteers, making sure that the work is done with a smile on everyone’s face.

Nic comes in like a warrior, showing up most days of the week ready to face whatever challenge comes our way. A mountain of cardboard boxes? Last minute request for food from a community partner? Stinky potatoes to sort through? Nicolas is ready to handle anything thrown at him, both inside the pantry and out.

Nicolas does not always get the credit he deserves. He does not show up and leave when the rest of the volunteers do. Most people don’t see the hours he puts in. He is not doing it for recognition, he is doing it because he believes in the Red Cross mission and the work that we do every day. For this dedication, Nicolas is the well-deserving recipient of our Boston Food Pantry Volunteer of the Year.

Colonel Nicole Ivers, Deputy Wing Commander for the 102nd at Joint Base Cape Cod, serves on the Board of Directors for Southeastern MA. During her six years of service, she has been a dedicated and passionate member of the biomedical committee, and a blood donor herself.

Prior to Covid, the Red Cross held a memorandum of understanding with Joint Base Cape Cod to collect blood on base, and when it expired, Colonel Ivers used her position, influence and passion to undertake the arduous task of renewing this important agreement. In fact, it took three years to negotiate and finalize this document that will now support as many as six drives per year with the potential of collecting upwards of 250 units of blood next year to be distributed across New England and beyond to those in need, including those hospitals and installations that serve our military members.

Greg has continually been a strong advocate for the Red Cross in the community with his work as the Emergency Management Lead for the DRA. He does an excellent job building relationships with community leaders and his greatest skill is representing the Red Cross in a positive way. We are thrilled to nominate him for the Disaster Service Volunteer of the Year Award for Norfolk South and Bristol County.

The City of Taunton was extremely valuable in helping put together a Sound the Alarm event in April of 2024. When I first reached out to Todd Castro, the Emergency Manager, his support for the Red Cross was immediate and the rest of the city government was the same. Not only did were they excited and ready to help us put together the Sound the Alarm event, their contributions and effort lead to a highly successful event that managed to outperform its expected impact even with it being held on a day where the rain was unfortunately pouring. As the staff and volunteers of the Norfolk South and Bristol DRA, we see the way the City of Taunton has welcomed us and partnered with us as the ideal situation. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them.

According to the Department of Veteran Affairs latest State Summaries report, the Southeast chapter has the largest portion of Veterans in Massachusetts with roughly 7.62%-8.52% of the Veteran and active military population.

It's clear that SAF needs a volunteer who demonstrates tireless commitment, leadership qualities, maintains inter agency partnerships, and fosters innovative strategies to best serve such a large military community that includes military bases, VA Hospitals, Veteran events, etc. The volunteer who has been an intricate part in FY25 towards these efforts in the Southeast chapter is none other than Craig 'Wolfie' Wolfe.

Craig "Wolfie" Wolfe, has been an MA Region SAF volunteer for over 5 years. His support for the military and veteran community spans far and wide. Wolfie has expanded his involvement in SAF by assisting the SAF/IS Regional Program Director and SAF/IS Regional Program specialist with not one, but two comfort kit deliveries that totals to 400 comfort kits delivered to local VA medical facilities, serving over 300 veteran inpatients in critical care.

Wolfie has been an outstanding lead for our Red Cross support of the VA Brockton Labor Day and Memorial Day BBQs, taking charge of the cooking, gathering volunteers to attend in support, as well as the food supply at the annual VA Brockton Veteran Expo. If that wasn't enough, Wolfie stepped up when our Boston MEPS location was in dire need for adequate staffing in Dec'24. He stepped up and took multiple shifts to support our Boston MEPS lead where he brought his generous and friendly personality that helps to make every recruit, and their family members feel more at ease. His ability to help at Boston MEPS has also maintained SAF's relationship with the MEPS Command.

All said efforts, Wolfie has contributed towards SAF exceeding its Health and Wellness goal with 4,968 veteran participants in FY25. Wolfie is well deserving of this Southeast SAF/IS Honoree award as he has demonstrated all core values of the Red Cross, particularly for a chapter with the largest military community where he continues to be eager to support SAF and the Southeast Chapter whenever he can.

Jan's experience and hard work at the American Red Cross have truly enabled her to connect deeply with clients. Her warm smile and the comfort she brings to each interaction are consistently praised by her team. It is with great appreciation that we recognize Jan for her outstanding dedication and compassion as a valued member of our Disaster Action Team (DAT).

Jan’s kindness and calm demeanor consistently make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by disaster. Each time she responds to a DAT call, she brings not only her expertise but also a warm smile and a reassuring presence that helps families in crisis feel a sense of hope and stability. Her commitment goes far beyond the front lines. Jan is always ready to assist with any task—whether it’s sorting bins, moving supplies, or unloading trailers. Her willingness to step in wherever needed exemplifies the spirit of teamwork and service that defines our mission. Jan’s contributions have not only strengthened our team but have also brought comfort and safety to countless individuals in their time of greatest need. We are truly grateful for her dedication, compassion, and unwavering support.

Mike Gleason, Director of Finances and Operations at the Veteran Outreach Center, is a valued community partner. I reconnected with Mike several years ago through community partner meetings, and in December 2024, he generously invited our volunteers to distribute Home Fire Prevention Campaign flyers at their Christmas Food Pantry.

Over the course of two days, our volunteers enrolled 26 veterans to receive free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, which were later installed by our Cape Cod team. This simple yet impactful opportunity directly enhanced the safety of 26 veteran households, significantly contributing to the well-being of a vulnerable population.

Mike also welcomed the Red Cross to their facility for [insert event or initiative—awaiting stats from Mike]. The Veteran Outreach Center plays a critical role in supporting veterans and their families by providing essential resources and referrals that empower them to lead active, independent lives.

Jack has been a tremendous asset to our team. From day one, he's consistently excelled in training, community outreach, and tabling events. His tireless work on the Home Fire Prevention campaign, installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, is exemplary. Jack consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and gets the job done effectively.

Jack has been extremely helpful across the chapter with home fire campaign and also community partnerships. He has risen to the challenge every time that he has been asked to do something. It is my honor to nominate him for this year's Consider it Done Award for the Southeastern Chapter.

It is my distinct pleasure to present this year's Chandler Blackington Award to Entre Amigos, a remarkable Lawrence-based organization led by Carlos and City Councilor Celina Reyes.

This award recognizes exceptional collaboration and community support through partnership with the Red Cross. Entre Amigos has exemplified this spirit by opening doors to Lawrence's Latino community and building bridges of trust where they're needed most.

Their impact was powerfully demonstrated during our April Sound the Alarm event, where Entre Amigos mobilized 30 of their volunteers to install smoke alarms throughout Lawrence. Even more importantly, they ensured local residents knew about the program and signed up for appointments, resulting in over 100 homes made significantly safer.

But their partnership extends beyond a single event. From hosting Red Cross overview presentations and Be Red Cross Ready training sessions to participating in our DEI Committee and helping develop our local Latino Engagement Team, Entre Amigos has become an invaluable ally in our mission.

Their established community network and trusted voice have amplified our reach and deepened our impact in Lawrence in ways we simply couldn't achieve alone.

Please join me in congratulating Carlos, Celina, and the entire Entre Amigos team as this year's Chandler Blackington Award recipient!

I'm honored to present our Northeastern Chapter's Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year Award to Cathi Lyons.

Cathi exemplifies everything the American Red Cross stands for in disaster response. As both a DAT Supervisor and Disaster Casework Lead Supervisor, she brings genuine compassion to those experiencing their darkest moments.

I've witnessed firsthand her remarkable ability to comfort clients during fire responses, helping them navigate crisis with dignity and care. Behind the scenes, she dedicates countless hours to casework, rebuilding lives one family at a time.

Beyond client service, Cathi excels in volunteer engagement for our Northeastern DAT, collaborating with team members at all levels and mentoring newcomers with patience and expertise.

Her multi-talented approach, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication make her invaluable to our mission and truly deserving of this recognition.

Please join me in congratulating our Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year, Cathi Lyons!

It's my privilege to present our Operations Volunteer of the Year Award to Eric Balles.

Eric truly embodies the Red Cross spirit. Since joining us, he has consistently shown up in a big way, always answering the call.

While we recognize Eric today primarily for his excellent work as our Specialty Vehicle Coordinator, his impact reaches much further. He serves as our DAT Engagement Lead and Supervisor, and contributes to both our Sheltering Team and Health and First Aid Corps.

Eric's reliability and dedication make him invaluable to our chapter's operations. His willingness to serve in multiple roles ensures we can fulfill our mission when our community needs us most.

Eric, thank you for your extraordinary service. Please join me in congratulating our Operations Volunteer of the Year!

It's my privilege to present our Northeastern Chapter's Biomedical Services Volunteer of the Year Award to an extraordinary individual who has dedicated nearly three decades to our lifesaving mission.

For 29 years, Janet Brings has been the lifeblood of our blood services program. Her impact is measured not just in time, but in lives saved - with thousands of units of blood collected through the community drives she has organized and supported.

Janet's commitment extends far beyond volunteering at blood drives. She has devoted countless hours to planning and promoting local events, ensuring we consistently meet the critical needs of patients requiring blood products.

Her passion for our mission is evident in everything she does, inspiring others and strengthening our entire biomedical services program.

After supporting hundreds of drives over nearly three decades, Janet's lasting legacy is written in the countless lives she has helped save through her dedicated service.

I’m pleased to present our "Consider It Done" Volunteer of the Year Award to Godfrey Mpanga.

Since joining the Red Cross in 2023, Godfrey has embodied the spirit of this award through his unwavering commitment and enthusiasm for our mission. He always steps up to support HFC and sheltering. He works a lot whenever he is available, which pretty much means he dedicates his weekends to Red Cross service.

Need someone for community events? Godfrey is there. Home fire campaign alarm installations? Godfrey is ready. No matter the task, his response is consistently the same - "Consider it done."

His readiness to help whenever possible and his reliability make him an invaluable member of our Northeastern Chapter. In just two years, he has made a remarkable impact through his service.

Godfrey, thank you for your extraordinary dedication. Please join me in congratulating our "Consider It Done" Volunteer of the Year!

John Ragucci has been a SAF volunteer since 2021, leading our SAF Hero Care Regional Family Contact Card outreach program. At the start of FY25, the contact card process went under a transition, from casework to outreach. While the process became more automated, John stepped up when the opportunity arose to assist with the contact cards that didn't have an email address on them.

John has continued to support calling the families and mailing the information to those who request it mailed instead of emailed. John continues to support our community events & outreach team, finding opportunities in the Northeast Chapter to raise awareness of our services to the veteran and military community at events throughout the year.

John is also well involved with SAF leadership to provide guidance and ensure service delivery goals our met for our military community. He attends all SAF staff, leadership meeting, and casework meetings. John is quick to support all of our programs when needed, whether be a Northeast chapter located RFL letter delivery, covering for SAF/IS staff during PTO, assisting with referral ideas for critical community service cases in his chapter, or attending advocacy day to discuss SAF programs with state legislature, John wants to help whenever he can and foster innovation within our SAF/IS programs.

Few individuals embody dedication, generosity, and commitment to service quite like Alister Shanks. Alister has donated over 100 lifesaving blood products, making a profound difference in countless lives. His contributions go beyond donation; his more than 340 hours of volunteer service since July 2024 have strengthened the mission of blood donation and supported both donors and recipients alike.

As an AB Elite Plasma Donor, Alister plays a critical role in ensuring that patients receive the essential treatments they need. His military background has shaped his strong sense of responsibility and leadership, qualities that shine through in his volunteer work at the donor center. He is a familiar and welcome presence, offering his time, guidance, and encouragement to fellow donors, fostering a spirit of generosity within the community.

Beyond his extraordinary contributions, Alister is known for his warmth, humor, and engaging storytelling. His captivating tales from his travels and years of service create meaningful connections with those around him, turning even the smallest interactions into memorable experiences. He also has a passion for exploring new cuisines, embracing opportunities to try new flavors from around the world. His enthusiasm for life, combined with his kindness and generosity, makes him not only an outstanding honoree but also an inspiration to everyone he meets.

As we honor Alister Shanks, we celebrate not just his lifesaving donations and dedicated volunteer service, but the spirit of compassion, leadership, and curiosity that he brings to every aspect of his life. His legacy is one of selfless giving and unwavering commitment to making a difference, reminding us all of the power of service and the impact of a single individual.

Thank you for honoring Alister. We are very proud to call him our friend and Springfield donor room volunteer.

We are proud to present the Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire Counties DRA Volunteer of the Year award to Bill Boyer. Bill is a dedicated and caring volunteer from Hampden County who has volunteered more than 400 hours since July 2024 while signing up for nearly 14,000 hours on call to support his Disaster Response area as well as supporting crash victims and the community grieving. Bill loans his skills to Red Cross serving as the Disaster Health Services Coordinator for MA. Locally, he is the Specialty Vehicle Coordinator and Disaster Action Team Supervisor. Bill brightens everyone's day around him and works hard to swiftly and thoroughly meet clients' needs. Bill is easy to talk to and fun to have around. We love having him on our team!

We are honored to present the Community Volunteer Partner award for the Central-Western Chapter to the Worcester Fire Department. This award is presented to a community partner who provides outstanding support advancing the Red Cross mission. Worcester Fire Department's Public Education department is more involved than ever in helping us with Sound the Alarm, as well as providing us with a few dozen bed shaker alarms that they were not using. Their Fire Prevention and Investigation Unit has also been a strong partner, and our DAT has built strong relationships so that we get alerted to every incident, and they often call us to discuss those borderline incidents if they are unsure of whether it falls within our DAT scope.

It is with great pride that we honor Jim Croll as the recipient of this year’s Sustainability Champion Award for the Central Western Chapter. Jim’s unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship, operational efficiency, and community resilience has made a lasting impact on the Central and Western Massachusetts Chapter and the Red Cross mission at large.

Jim has been a tireless advocate for integrating sustainable practices into every facet of our operations. From optimizing energy use and promoting green initiatives in our facilities to reducing waste and supporting disaster relief in environmentally responsible ways, Jim brings an unmatched level of passion, creativity, and commitment. He consistently finds innovative solutions to reduce our environmental footprint while enhancing service delivery across the region.

Jim’s work has helped drive forward initiatives that align with the Red Cross’s broader commitment to climate preparedness and sustainable response. His efforts have inspired fellow volunteers and staff alike, demonstrating how individual leadership can foster collective progress. Whether implementing eco-conscious logistics to operations projects in the region or supporting Red Cross Green Team events, Jim leads by example.

We are deeply grateful for Jim’s vision, energy, and commitment to a better, more sustainable future. His contributions exemplify what it means to be a true Sustainability Champion.

This is a chapter-based award given to a Red Cross volunteer who has shown exemplary leadership and dedication, has made substantial contributions to our American Red Cross mission and consistently exceeds expectations. Carmen truly exemplifies the spirit of this award in so many meaningful ways and we are honored to present her with the Central Western Chapter award for "Consider it done". Carmen wears multiple hats as a Community Volunteer Leader, trained Spiritual Care Counselor, Disaster Action Team (DAT) member, and an incredible spokesperson for the Red Cross.

Her contributions to our bilingual efforts in Springfield are invaluable. She supports the onboarding of new Spanish-speaking volunteers and provides compassionate translation for clients impacted by disasters. Carmen is also a constant support to our Executive Director, showing up for workgroup meetings, community tabling events, and lending a hand wherever needed.

What makes Carmen especially remarkable is her dedication to improvement. She's direct, thoughtful, and never afraid to share ideas on how we can do things better, all with the goal of making the Red Cross a place where everyone feels welcome and motivated to serve. Her passion, reliability, and honesty make her an extraordinary volunteer and leader in our community.

Steve is a pillar of DCS in Worcester County, and we are proud to present him with the Worcester County DRA Volunteer of the Year award. He is an incredibly active DAT Supervisor, often going on multiple calls within the same day, and taking many of the middle of the night calls. He is a dedicated Mentor to DAT Service Associates and Specialists, and everyone who goes out with him comes back raving how much they enjoyed his company and his guidance.

Steve is also active in Preparedness and Community Engagement. He is always willing to go out there and promote the Red Cross Mission, home fire safety and general emergency and disaster preparedness. It is a pleasure to work alongside Steve and he deserves to be honored for his tireless work this year.

His professionalism and ability to teach as well as be taught by those around him without a change in demeanor or character should be celebrated and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to shine a light on them through this award.

Ana consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within the Red Cross. Whether she's supporting Latino engagement, helping with translation efforts, or stepping up on deployments, Ana leads with purpose. She continues to be a steady presence and voice in our DEI work always bringing fresh ideas for engaging diverse volunteers and making sure everyone feels seen, valued, and welcomed in our organization.

Linda-Jo Diamond has been a volunteer with SAF for 6 years and is our SAF MEPS Springfield Lead volunteer who has one of the most critical lead roles in the department. There were several times throughout FY25 that SAF had staffing challenges. Linda-Jo has consistently stepped up and been actively involved with SAF leadership in the ongoing recruitment process, screening volunteers, reporting needed supplies for service delivery, and tirelessly covering shifts in the absence of permanent SAF volunteer staffing at MEPS to ensure our service members and military families get the information needed in case of an emergency. When a new volunteer is being onboarded, Linda-Jo ensures they receive a thorough orientation and handles all base pass requirements with base command. With further efforts in collaboration with SAF leadership and Volunteer services, Linda-Jo assisted in MEPS Springfield finally reaching its goal with adequate staffing in FY25 including having current SAF volunteers assisting on a temporary basis until adequate staffing was reached. Without Linda-Jo's commitment during a tumultuous time, SAF would not have been able to provide its critical service delivery for one of SAF's vital programs.

Regardless of the challenges encountered in FY25, Linda-Jo remains enthusiastic, demonstrates leadership qualities, and presents a calming presence to the recruits and their family members. She is a wonderful mentor for the other MEPS volunteers. In FY25, Linda-Jo led the Springfield MEPS team in briefing over 900 recruits on the services that the Red Cross provides to them and their families.

Linda-Jo is also always willing to support our Central/Western Chapter with additional SAF needs and has traveled throughout the MA region to support important events. For instance, congressionally mandated events such as Yellow Ribbons for four different National Guard units. Linda-Jo also attends Veteran Resource Fairs as well as assisting with deliveries of 200 comfort kits to the VA Hospital in Leeds to provide items to Veteran patients in need.

Needless to say, Linda-Jo is well deserving of the SAF Volunteer of the year award for the Central/Western MA chapter as she demonstrated all Red Cross values during times of hardship with staffing, success of overcoming those challenges, and traveling as needed throughout the year to support SAF's Health and Wellness programs.

We are delighted to honor Megan Thompson as this year's Greater Boston Volunteer of Year for Blood Services. Megan has been a dedicated volunteer Transportation Specialist out of the Dedham facility, commuting from her home in Shrewsbury, since July 2024, and she quickly became one of our most dependable and trusted team members.

Despite working a full-time job, Megan regularly signs up for weekend shifts—often taking on double shifts. Near the end of her shift, she frequently volunteers to make one final delivery using her personal vehicle, extending her service well beyond her scheduled 8-hour commitment.

One day in March 2025 stands out as a clear example of Megan’s “Above & Beyond, Whatever It Takes” attitude in support of the Red Cross mission.

While delivering blood to Salem Hospital in Massachusetts and then preparing to head to Elliot Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire, the Red Cross van she was driving began experiencing mechanical issues. After successfully delivering the blood to Salem Hospital, Megan realized the van wouldn’t make the 53-mile journey to Manchester. Determined to complete the delivery, she contacted a family member in the area and borrowed their car—ensuring the lifesaving blood reached Elliot Hospital without delay.

In this moment, Megan put the needs of the patients above all else, prioritizing their urgent medical needs over her personal circumstances and convenience.

Thank you, Megan, for your dedication, compassion, and unwavering support of the Red Cross mission. Your actions truly speak louder than words.

On that day, Megan exemplified what it means to put the well-being of others first—especially in a potentially life-or-death situation. Thanks to her selfless decision, those in need received the blood they were counting on, as quickly as possible.

Multiple members of the Dedham Distribution Department spoke glowingly of Megan’s actions that day and proudly endorsed her nomination for Volunteer of the Year!

We are proud to present the Greater Boston DRA Volunteer of the Year award to Isabel Stevens on behalf of Disaster Cycle Services. This award is a Chapter based award that acknowledges exceptional service in disaster response and preparedness, highlighting the dedication of a volunteer who provides essential support to people impacted by disasters. Freshman volunteer Isabel Stevens is truly a rising star.

In just her first year, she has racked up an impressive number of DAT runs, progressing from trainee to Service Associate to Supervisor with lightning speed. Attuned, focused, driven, and innovative both on and off scene, Isabel also serves as a powerful and effective Disaster Mental Health SA, providing compassionate support to clients in crisis. Isabel offered critical mental health support to families and individuals affected by the January 2025 Reagan Airport plane crash and has continued supporting ICCT clients in the months since. Most recently, she expanded her service by supporting the No Veteran Dies Alone initiative through Service to the Armed Forces.

She is also a devoted Recovery Casework SA, already making a meaningful impact.

Isabel is admired and respected for her drive, thoroughness, commitment to quality client care, and rare combination of IQ and EQ.

She’s just getting started—and she’s truly “one to watch.”

The Diversity & Outreach Champion is a Chapter based award presented to a Red Cross volunteer who does exceptional work ensuring that all people have access to Red Cross services. Kenny is inclusively personified, so we are delighted to honor him as Greater Boston's champion in FY25. Every Saturday he is ready to help with his classic Ken-ergy; jumping around, welcoming everyone he sees, saying good morning and thanking them for being there.

He especially cares for the children, seniors, and those with disabilities, making sure they get what they need; whether it be an extra goodie bag or help getting to their car safely. He makes people feel seen and cared for. Regardless of whether it’s pouring buckets outside, snowing, or hotter than you can believe, he brings that same joy that helps to make the Boston Food Pantry the special place it is. We are grateful to Kenny and his impenetrable spirit.

It is an honor to announce MRV (Mobile Response Vehicle? ) King Chris Sloan as this year’s “Consider It Done” award recipient. This is a chapter-based award given to a Red Cross volunteer who has shown exemplary leadership and dedication, has made substantial contributions to our American Red Cross mission and consistently exceeds expectations. Chris is the engine that keeps Greater Boston moving through and out of disasters.

Whether he is tirelessly “stocking and unstocking” the MRV, keeping it in good working condition, delivering it to out-of-state drivers for national Disaster Operations, training new MRV drivers with Peter Schubert, or driving it himself to on-scene Disaster responses both within and beyond his Disaster Response Areas—Chris is at the heart of everything “MERV”-elous in Boston.

A dedicated volunteer partner to Shannon FitzGerald and a responsive, caring teammate to all, Chris is invaluable and beloved for his excellent communication and tireless commitment to keeping “All Systems Go.”

Whether he is responding to DAT calls when no one else is signed up, proactively shuttling supplies between Worcester, Tremont St., Dedham, Medford, and the Greater Boston storage trailer, preparing the MRV for deployment, or volunteering for special projects— Chris is always first in line to help.

If you need something done quickly, done right, and done with a smile, you give the job to Chris.

Rachel Casazza volunteers weekly, serving in a dual role as both an Emergency Communication Message/Financial Assistance Family Follow-Up caseworker and a Critical Community Service caseworker. Since onboarding, Rachel has assisted with 13 Critical Community Service cases supporting veterans in need and has demonstrated tremendous growth in her role. She has gained confidence in independently reaching out to referral contacts and monitors the case queue when regional leadership is out of office. Rachel began to support the training of new casework volunteers, providing thoughtful input on revising step-by-step guidance and intake assessment call procedures. This fiscal year, Rachel has already dedicated 165 hours to casework.

We are honored to present the Community Volunteer Partner award to Mark Venezia, recognizing his exceptional dedication and unwavering support for the American Red Cross (ARC). This award is presented to a community partner who provides outstanding support advancing the Red Cross mission.  Mark embodies the spirit of volunteerism through his compassionate sponsorship and tireless efforts to make a difference in our community.

Mark has consistently gone above and beyond, demonstrating his commitment by personally providing gift cards from his own pocket to ARC blood donors. During the pandemic, when many were hesitant and fearful, Mark courageously opened his space at the Big Nite location, offering a safe haven for ARC blood drive activities. His willingness to give blood and to learn about the ARC mission has been truly inspiring.

Our collaboration with Mark spans multiple locations, including Encore, North Station, and the Seaport area. Mark attends every drive, eagerly working the donor ambassador table, meeting every staff member, and greeting donors with a personal touch that makes them feel valued. Despite not living close to the Encore drive, Mark ensures that either he or a staff member is always onsite to guarantee smooth operations and provide support throughout the drive.

Mark's philanthropy extends beyond ARC drives. He volunteers at the Boston Food Pantry, where the Big Nite team sends volunteers to assist every month. His kind and caring nature has made a significant impact on both the volunteers and the community members we serve.

We are also thrilled to soon celebrate a remarkable milestone: 150 total blood drives that Mark has helped coordinate since the pandemic. This achievement is a testament to his unwavering dedication and exceptional organizational skills.

We are deeply grateful for Mark's contributions and his unwavering commitment to volunteer excellence. His dedication, compassion, and generosity make him a true Red Cross Superstar. It is with great pride that we honor Mark with this well-deserved recognition.