Volunteers who provided exceptional service over the past year were honored during the Northern Nevada Chapter’s annual meeting on September 26. Despite many activities being cancelled due to the pandemic, more than 200 volunteers donated nearly 17,000 hours to help others during times of need.
The event was hosted by Utah/Nevada Region CEO Heidi Ruster and new Northern Nevada Executive Director Mary Powell. They detailed the range of services provided over the year, such as assisting people during and after emergencies, helping service members and their families, making homes safer from fire, and providing preparedness training.
Service awards included the following:
The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership - Danel Lipparelli, who helped transform the way disaster mental health services are provided not just in the chapter, but across the agency.
Board Member Recognition Award - JoAnn Meacham, for her efforts to forge new partnerships for the chapter, particularly in Services to the Armed Forces and Sound the Alarm.
Business Operations Volunteer Award - Annette Friedlander, for exceptional dedication to doing the behind-the-scenes tasks which helps the chapter function smoothly.
Communications Volunteer Award - Mike Raponi, for his work to help the region have a more engaging on-line presence.
Disaster Preparedness Volunteer Award - Holly McIntyre, who, as the Disaster Program Manager Volunteer Partner, organized and improved every disaster program conducted by the chapter.
Disaster Response Volunteer Award - Sue Nicholes, who willingly assumed a variety of disaster roles to ensure the Red Cross maintained a strong presence in eastern Nevada.
Outstanding Red Cross Club Member of the Year - Elizabeth Mojica, who encouraged other Truckee Meadows Community College students to join in Sound the Alarm and other events.
Rising Star Award - Maribeth Stumpf, for demonstrating during her first year as a volunteer that she was a compassionate, resourceful caseworker.
Volunteer Services Volunteer Award - Debbie Lewis, who went the extra mile to keep other volunteers happy and engaged.
Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service - Mindy Hsu, for over 20 years of leadership and service as a Disaster Action Team supervisor.
Volunteer Leadership Award - Cass Bonfiglio, for the outreach she crafted to the military community, to tribal groups, and to the media in northern Nevada and the region.
In addition to the service awards, volunteers were noted who reached years of service milestones:
One Year: Michael Raponi, Abigail Villa, Caitlyn Bray, Maribeth Stumpf, David Street, Jabraun Salgado, Yesenia Aguirre, Jhon Cardona, Elizabeth Mojica, Steven Dexter, Trevor McIntyre, Dinah Anderson-Maher, Shane Roskie, Christopher Gray, Linda Ash-Jackson, John Linebaugh, Ben Wood, and Patrick Lynch Five Years: Justin Bustos, Don Leflet, Ralph Kersten, Janet Johnson, Kathleen (Kitty) Tammen, Zanny Marsh, Eugene Larson, and Mary Ann Laffoon 10 Years: Dale Kiriaze 15 Years: Danel Lipparelli, Mary DeLaMare, Elaine Hudson, and Gail Bursill 20 or More Years: David (Sunny) Sundstrom (22) and Mindy Hsu (21) 30 or More Years: Julie Street (31)
Volunteers whose lifetime hours worked crossed specific thresholds during the year also were recognized:
500 Hours: William (Bill) Funk, Michael Doro, Marlene Killion, Janet Johnson, Ralph Kersten, and Linda Hanson 1000 Hours: William (Bill) Funk, Michael Doro, Marlene Killion, Janet Johnson, Ralph Kersten, and Linda Hanson 1500 Hours: James (Jim) Gardner, Holly McIntyre, Julie Street, and Gail Bursill 2000 Hours: Maureen Koski, Katheen (Kitty) Tammen, Karenne Smith, Joaquin Roces, and Elizabeth (Betsy) Morse 3500 Hours: Susan Kennedy 4500 Hours: Barbara Kramer
