by Sandy Shirey

American Red Cross volunteers and employees met recently to honor Athens County resident Diane Tong for 20 years of volunteer work.

Diane began her volunteer career in the Red Cross chapter office in Athens, providing office support for executive directors, Sandy Shirey and Jane Patton. At the event Jane Patton said “I ‘inherited’ Diane when I started in the office, and she showed me the ropes. After I became the executive director, I would often ask her to train the new volunteers who started volunteering. As a result, we began a friendship which we still enjoy to this day.”

Sharing her reasons for volunteering, Diane said “In 2003 I was trying out Red Cross as a way to stay busy after retiring from the Bureau of Census. So, helping in the office was great. Then I added blood drives at our church with Brenda Davis and many volunteers. It has been very successful, and our church continues to support at least six drives a year.

Volunteering is what makes retirement enjoyable. I have added two half-days at the Castrop Center information desk each week. It fills my desire to be with people.”

In 2006, Diane volunteered to plan a new drive at her church, Richland United Methodist. “Diane started one of the most successful and consistent blood drives in our Central Ohio Blood Region.” Explaining the impact of these blood drives, Jackie McCune, district manager for blood services, said “With this drive going every 56 days for 17 years, averaging at 245 units per year, equals 4,165 units collected. Every unit collected is separated into three separate parts. These 4,165 units collected over the years have had the potential to help and save 12,495 individuals. This would not have been possible without Diane Tong.  Diane, you are very appreciated by patients, collection team, volunteers, and the entire staff of donor services!”

As Diane was presented with her 20-year pin and 20 red roses to honor her years as a volunteer, area manager Lori Gaitten praised Tong’s work in staging the church blood drives, “You didn’t have to hold her hand, she knew what needed done and she did it! We always sat in the kitchen and drank a cup of coffee and caught up on life when I visited the drive, and I am very much looking forward to that again.”

For information on becoming a Red Cross volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer or call 614-395-3924.