Joyce Berry began volunteering with the American Red Cross Northwest Region in 2003. A registered nurse, she wanted to use her professional expertise to give back to her community. Berry started as a Preparedness, Health and Safety Services instructor, eventually volunteering as the West Sound Health & Safety Manager until the position could be filled.
Berry has increased the number of “hats” she wears for the Red Cross, taking on multiple leadership roles. She is a co-coordinator for the First Aid Action Team (FAST), a member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) and a client assistance card activator.
Berry’s service with the Red Cross is defined by her work with the Bremerton Naval Hospital. In 2008, she began volunteering at the Red Cross at Bremerton Naval Hospital as a nurse in OB/GYN and took over as the Volunteer Coordinator in 2009.
This volunteer position requires an extensive time commitment. She oversees 70 volunteers and spends a minimum of two full days a week, sometimes more, working at the hospital. She recruits and interviews new volunteers, providing them with orientation and hospital procedure training, schedules their time, tracks and reports everyone’s hours and troubleshoots any other needs that arise.
Since Berry assumed this role she has been instrumental in building bridges and reestablishing a good rapport with the hospital leadership.This winter she was awarded a prestigious Admiral’s Coin from the Commander of Navy Medicine West and Naval Medical Center – San Diego for her service to the community. This is a huge honor and the Red Cross is extremely proud that an outside entity recognized and awarded Berryfor the amazing work she does.
When asked why she continues to volunteer with the Red Cross Berry notes, “It’s the people. We have a really great group of volunteers and that’s why I keep coming back.”
“No matter how Joyce is representing the Red Cross, she does so with an exceptional pride and grace,” reported Shelly Hutchinson, Red Cross Administrative & Volunteer Specialist. “Joyce’s passion for the Red Cross and volunteering can always be counted on to inspire others to reach new levels of dedication.”
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.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
