Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 1, 2024) — The American Red Cross of Utah will honor 24 local volunteers at the annual Volunteer Recognition Event ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Hale Center Theatre, located at 9900 Monroe St., Sandy, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. These dedicated Utahns, along with more than 1,500 others statewide, are being acknowledged for their dedication to supporting communities in need.

The honorees are being recognized for their contributions to a range of crucial Red Cross initiatives, which include nationwide disaster relief, flood and local home fire responses, disaster preparedness training, support for military families, assistance in reuniting families separated by war or natural disasters, and participation in lifesaving blood collection efforts.

In just the past year, Utah’s Red Cross volunteers have collectively donated over 60,000 hours of service. “Our volunteers are trained and devoted to helping not only their neighbors but also those far beyond our state borders,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “The Red Cross could not fulfill its mission without their tireless work and generosity.”

The Clara Barton Award, one of the Red Cross’s highest honors, will be presented to Beth Chynoweth of the Greater Salt Lake Chapter, and Bonnie Kenison of the Central & Southern Utah Chapter during Saturday’s event. Named after the founder of the American Red Cross, this award celebrates meritorious service in volunteer leadership positions.

“Beth’s and Bonie’s selfless dedication is a significant reason we can achieve our goal of ensuring no one faces a disaster alone,” Ruster said. “Utah can take pride in her and all its dedicated volunteers who truly form the heart of the American Red Cross.”

Saturday’s awardees include:

Beth Chynoweth                     Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership           Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Bonnie Kenison                      Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership           Central & Southern Utah Chapter

Steven Bergstrom                   Biomedical Achievement Award                             Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Verl Johnson                          Biomedical Achievement Award                             Central & Southern Utah Chapter

Rosemary Riggs                     Biomedical Achievement Award                             Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter

Taylor Jones                           Board Member Recognition Award                         Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Tony Sudweeks                      Business Operations Volunteer Award                   Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Jolene Treloar                        Communications Volunteer Award                         Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter

Sidney Kaufmann                   Community Champion Volunteer Award                 Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Dave Sturgeon                        Community Champion Volunteer Award                 Central & Southern Utah Chapter

Sonia Awadikian                     Disaster Preparedness Volunteer Award                 Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Jeff Davis                                Disaster Preparedness Volunteer Award                 Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter

Robert Allen                           Disaster Response Volunteer Award                      Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Debbie Spoons                       Disaster Response Volunteer Award                      Central & Southern Utah Chapter

Ashley Lovell                          Outstanding Red Cross Club Member Award         Central & Southern Utah Chapter

Victoria Gordon                       Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award                       Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Adrienne Donner                    Rising Star Volunteer Award                                   Central & Southern Utah Chapter

Kirsti Dunn                              Rising Star Volunteer Award                                   Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter

Shannon Janssen                   Rising Star Volunteer Award                                   Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Sheila Velasquez                    Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer Award       Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter

Deborah Hinman                    Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service Central & Southern Utah Chapter

Bill Jacks                                Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Leigha Westover                     Volunteer Leadership Award                                  Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Breanna Lund                         Volunteer Services Volunteer Award                      Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter

Join the Red Cross of Utah volunteers
Red Cross of Utah volunteers play a role in every aspect of the organization’s work. From supporting families affected by fires and floods and providing preparedness classes to connecting military families with urgent resources and supplying lifesaving blood to hospital patients, they make a difference. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn how you can make a difference, especially when disasters strike here in Utah, across the country and around the world.

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.