The American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Oklahoma proudly recognizes its 2026 exceptional volunteer award recipients.

Board of Directors Exceptional Volunteer: Jimmy Lindsay

Every board member has stepped up during a time when the board is smaller and the workload is heavier. But Jimmy has shown time and time again that he is someone the chapter can count on. He shows up, contributes and leads with purpose.

Beyond his board service, Jimmy has invested deeply in training for disaster response, bringing insight, skill, and a calm, steady presence to moments when people need help the most. His dedication is not just appreciated — it is felt across the chapter.

Disaster Services Exceptional Volunteer: Ray Schachner

Ray is committed, dependable and caring.

Despite working a full-time job, Ray always makes sure people the Red Cross serves are taken care of. He supports fellow volunteers, brings positivity to every situation and finds a way to make things work, even when the circumstances are challenging.

Ray organizes all Red Cross events in Shawnee, ensuring volunteers are present, prepared and supported. And when a family in Coalgate needed help after a fire, Ray drove from Shawnee to Coalgate — something he has done more than once — to make sure those clients received the care they needed.

Ray brings energy, devotion and even humor to his service. He makes people’s lives better simply by showing up with a full heart.

Volunteer Services Department Exceptional Volunteer: Deb Ollila

Deb serves as the Nursing Program Advisor for East Central University. Because of her leadership, ECU nursing students have been deeply involved with the Red Cross for 15 years. Year after year, ECU has the most student nurses and contributes the most volunteer hours of any nursing program in the Kansas and Oklahoma Region.

This past year alone, Deb guided 30 student nurse volunteers, who contributed over 300 hours of service. Her dedication has helped the ECU Nursing Program grow exponentially, and her partnership has strengthened our mission in ways that will continue for years to come.

Deb is a joy to work with, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration with her and the ECU student nurses.

Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership: Patti Coley

This award recognizes individuals whose dedication, expertise, and leadership embody the humanitarian spirit of Clara Barton herself.

Patti is knowledgeable, thorough and deeply dedicated. For 11 years, she has served in both Disaster and Volunteer Services, playing a vital role in onboarding, training and supporting disaster volunteers in the SCSEOK chapter. She ensures new volunteers feel confident, prepared and welcomed, guiding them through training, systems and the responsibilities of disaster response.

Patti manages multiple critical roles with excellence, serving as Chapter Disaster Workforce Engagement Lead and Regional Compliance Lead. She also volunteers as a Duty Officer and serves on the shelter team, always ready to step into operational roles when the community needs her.

When Volunteer Services needed help processing motor vehicle reports, Patti stepped up without hesitation. She learned the process, mastered it and even helped create the written standard operating procedure we use today.

Her collaboration, communication and attention to detail ensure volunteers are supported, informed, and set up for success. Patti’s leadership strengthens the chapter every single day.

Inspired by these volunteers? Put on a red vest and join us. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find out how you can support your community.

Awards were announced at the chapter annual meeting on June 26 in Shawnee. See more event photos on our Flickr page.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.