Local Residents Honored with Awards from the Tennessee Region 

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 23, 2021 – The American Red Cross Nashville Area Chapter recently recognized its exceptional volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to help people in need.  

“We are grateful for the dedication of our volunteers, whose support makes a compassionate difference for our neighbors in need,” Joel Sullivan, regional and local chapter director said. “In thanks for their dedicated service, we have presented Stephen Durham, Cindy Manley, Tigist Tilahun, and Tricia McDowell Red Cross volunteer awards for the vital role they play in carrying out our mission in our community.” 

In the Tennessee region, more than 2,600 people volunteer with the Red Cross by responding to home fires and other disasters, supporting blood collections, providing emergency assistance to military families, and much more. These individuals are among the more than 300,000 volunteers who comprise more than 90% of the national Red Cross workforce. 

This year’s award winners are:  

Stephen Durham of Hendersonville, received the Disaster Services Chapter Award to recognize his contributions in responding to house fires across 11 counties, setting up shelters, leading shelter teams, and being a constant support to clients across our community. “Stephen is dedicated, compassionate and always eager to support the mission of the Red Cross,” Sullivan said. 

Cindy Manley, of Nashville, received the Regional Excellence Award for Disaster Services to recognize her contributions in onboarding and engaging new volunteers by learning a new volunteer’s motivations, interests and ideas to match them with the perfect volunteer opportunity. “We pride ourselves on being a volunteer led organization and Cindy is a true leader. Everything Cindy touches, she does with her trademark enthusiasm, attention to detail and dedication to a job well done,” he said.  

Tigist Tilahun, of Antioch, received the Regional Youth Award to recognize her contributions after joining the Red Cross in April 2019. An active high school student, Tilahun formed a Red Cross Club at Knowledge Academy in Antioch and worked to have a blood drive in her school. “Tigist stepped up during her final year of high school and volunteered as a Blood Donor Ambassador to help during the pandemic with screening donors prior to their blood donations,” Sullivan said. “Even during the onset of COVID-19, she wanted to continue to serve. Her efforts helped us to continue to provide lifesaving blood products to patients in area hospitals during a critical time in our history.”   

Tricia McDowell, of Nashville, received the Fundraising Chapter Award to recognize her commitment and dedication to raise money to support the mission of the American Red Cross. “In a year fraught by the multitude of challenges by the pandemic, Tricia’s leadership in high level roles to support fund development in our organization has been exceptional,” Sullivan added. “Her leadership has supported growth in women’s philanthropy through our Tiffany Circle, with over $1 million raised by our Tiffany Circle women in fiscal year 21.” McDowell is also a board member of the Nashville Area Chapter.  

If you are interested in becoming an American Red Cross volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer to sign up online.