Reno, NV (June 11, 2020) - Volunteers with the Northern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross have been honored for exceptional service during the past year.

The winners were announced during the chapter’s annual meeting conducted online yesterday. In addition to honoring volunteers, the meeting provides an overview of accomplishments and activities during the organization’s fiscal year which runs from July 1 to June 30.

Volunteers not only serve locally but often travel outside the state to assist communities during times of disaster. The Northern Nevada Chapter has 199 volunteers who represent communities throughout northern Nevada. Collectively, chapter volunteers provided 10,600 hours of service. Over 90% of the Red Cross workforce is made up of volunteers.

The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership

Danel Lipparelli

While selected volunteers were recognized this year for their exceptional work, one volunteer was awarded the highest honor that American Red Cross chapters can bestow upon one of its volunteers. The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership was awarded to Danel Lipparelli. The award, named for the organization’s founder, recognizes service in volunteer leadership positions held over a period of years. Danel has been a Red Cross volunteer for 16 years, beginning her work as an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) driver during the Hurricane Katrina response. Since then, she has served as a leader in numerous programs for more than a decade, driven improvements to the way the chapter provides services, and teaches Psychological First Aid to community groups around Northern Nevada.

Other volunteers honored:

Board Member Recognition Award
JoAnn Meacham

Business Operations Volunteer Award
Annette Friedlander 

Communications Volunteer Award
Mike Raponi

Disaster Preparedness Volunteer Award
Holly McIntyre

Disaster Response Volunteer Award
Sue Nicholes

Outstanding Red Cross Club Member of the Year
Elizabeth Mojica

Rising Star Award

Maribeth Stumpf 

Volunteer Services Volunteer Award
Debbie Lewis 

Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service
Mindy Hsu 

Volunteer Leadership Award
Cass Bonfiglio

The annual meeting also recounted some of the accomplishments of the Northern Nevada chapter over the past year. They include the following:

Home Fire Campaign

• 1198 smoke alarms installed
• 432 homes made safer
• 106 home fires were responded to by the chapter’s Disaster Action Team

Education

• 407 students aged 8-11 were educated about personal and family preparedness for hazards and home fires through the Pillowcase Project.

Service to the Armed Forces (SAF)

• 25 resiliency workshops were held for veterans. Workshops were conducted in cooperation with community partners which include Veterans Resource Center,  Westcare Veteran Transitional Housing, VA Hospital, and the Air National Guard.
• $8,300 was given in financial assistance to veterans in the past year.

About the Northern Nevada Chapter
The American Red Cross of Northern Nevada serves 13 counties and over 87,000 square miles. Volunteers in the Northern Nevada Chapter respond to disasters both locally and nationwide, in addition to providing training on CPR and community preparedness. The chapter has served northern Nevada for more than 100 years. It receives generous support from the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation. Follow us on social media @RedCrossNevada.
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