Every day, Red Cross volunteers perform amazing work, dedicating their time and talent to the fulfilment of our humanitarian mission. During this complicated and difficult time, recognizing the impact of volunteer service -- and the power of volunteers -- is more important than ever. Please help us congratulate these members of our Red Cross family who have given the best of themselves to help others (recognition period - 3nd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2021).
Greater Orlando Chapter
James Ravenell, Business Operations
James supports the “Dial a Friend” program to check on seniors and the homebound in the community. Before the pandemic, James would visit the office several days a week to make his calls. Often our paths would cross at the office and we’d chat about life and his family. He takes his duties to keep in touch, document his calls, and remember special dates very seriously! To ensure that his charges know that they are remembered and thought about he will place birthday, sympathy, and thinking of you cards at the front desk everyone to add a sentiment and sign!
Douglas Stewart, Disaster Cycle Services
Doug is a highly motivated volunteer with a drive and capacity to help and support other volunteers. Doug’s commitment to the humanitarian work in the local community and tenacious approach can be rarely found in others. He is also an excellent motivator, encouraging other volunteers to get involved. When there was a need for a Duty officer, Doug jumped at the opportunity to support not only his fellow volunteers, but to provide needed assistance to families affected by disasters, as a DAT supervisor. He also stepped up, when there was a need for a Duty officer Manager, at the chapter. His contribution in that position ensures everything runs smoothly, and we are able to respond and help displaced families in a timely manner. He always remains calm and never gets ruffled, and everyone thoroughly enjoys working alongside Doug.
John Lanzetti, Public Affairs
From the beginning, John has closely worked with communications on the DCS side. He's the first to alert us of a multi-family fire. He is also readily available to speak with media personnel in a pinch. Without question, John embodies the values of the Red Cross simply by helping our neighbors 24/365.
Paula Lohrke, Service to the Armed Forces
Paula started with our team in January and quickly completed all of her required casework training, attended additional virtual training sessions, and asks a multitude of smart questions to hone her casework skills. Her casework is impeccable, ensuring consistency in our system and a great experience for our emergency clients after some of the hardest days of their lives. Even though she's been with us for a short time, she has decided to take on additional responsibility by becoming a Critical Community Services caseworker too.
Liz Welker, Volunteer Services
Liz has worn many hats throughout her 29 years with the Red Cross, and she has proven time and again her unwavering ability to adapt to any circumstance. When the pandemic started, Liz focused her attention on the Virtual Intake Processing Center and has managed to log over 700 hours in this remote function! Liz is often one of the first contacts that a prospective volunteer has with the Red Cross and her knowledge of Red Cross processes has been critical in her success.
Mid-Florida Chapter
Philip LaPointe, Business Operations
Phil is AWESOME. He helps with DAT, fleet, facilities and more. He pretty much helps anyone who comes to ask for his assistance. We are so lucky to have him for our Mid FL chapter. He really does whatever it takes to keep our vehicles well maintained, clean and ready for use as needed. He also helps to take care our building. He is a great helper. We truly appreciate him for ALL of his help.
Glenn Ferguson, Disaster Cycle Services
Glenn works not only with DCS and helps other lines of services as well. Glenn works very well with others and is quick to say yes to volunteering for those last-minute situations making him a very respected and appreciated asset to our Logistics and Transportation team. Glenn comes to us from the New Jersey Region where he was also helping out Facilities making him an ideal person to help Business Ops with issues at our facility.
Michelle "Mo" Green, Public Affairs
In March, Mo was deployed to Kentucky to help residents after major some flooding. She was able to send back information and pictures to the Communication squad, all while providing comfort to residents affected in the flood zone. What might seem like a little thing, means a lot when telling the Red Cross story.
Stephanie England, Service to the Armed Forces
Stephanie is a student at the University of South Florida, a Member of the USF Red Cross Club, and a Red Cross International Services Youth Action Campaign Advocate. Stephanie has been actively involved with planning, supporting, and attending USF YAC activities and events, and just this month was recognized as the Red Cross International Services National Collegiate Winner for her moving essay “The Battle for Girl’s Education in War. For her commitment and passion to inform others about the reality of wars and its impact on young girls, is only fitting that we Recognize Stephanie for this amazing accomplishment.
Kaitlyn Behrendt, Volunteer Services
In the role of screener, Kaitlyn is often the first person to whom a prospective volunteer speaks. Kaitlyn’s knowledge of the Red Cross and understanding of referral process has been critical in her success. Recently Kaitlyn has stepped up as a leader on our team. She has scheduled time for screeners in training sit in with her on interview calls so that they can see a pro at work.
Space Coast Chapter
Judy Perry, Disaster Cycle Services
Judy's dedication and hard work on the Recovery team have helped hundreds of our disaster-affected clients get back on their feet. She has a heart for helping others, and even volunteers across other lines of service. Pre-COVID, I always looked forward to seeing her smiling face in the Daytona office.
Nancy McCarley, Service to the Armed Forces
Nancy has made outstanding contributions to Patrick Space Force Base. She donates her time and efforts to the Red Cross by volunteering with the 45th Medical Group. In this quarter, Nancy contributed 138.5 combined volunteer hours for her work in the Satellite Pharmacy and as an administrative volunteer for our clinic team. Her regular duties encompass Volunteer Connection and database management tasks, ensuring updated flu vaccines were reported, obtaining security badges and name tags, and recruiting and orienting new volunteers to their clinic positions. Everybody knows Nancy and appreciates her positive attitude, tenacity in advancing the mission, and her encouraging manner.
Leann Smith, Volunteer Services
Leann is an active member of the University High School Red Cross Club. She has been very engaged with the our Homes Made Safer Campaign and tied for second place in the youth competition. In addition, Leanne was one of two students at her school who trained to become an International Humanitarian Law Advocate. Without enough students at her school to form a team she took the initiative and joined a Youth Action Campaign with another school and has been actively involved with planning, supporting, and attending activities and events.
Southwest Florida Chapter
Larry and Carol Palmer, Disaster Cycle Services
Larry and Carol have volunteered for 28 years serving on numerous Disaster Relief Operations (including 9/11, Hurricane Charlie, Hurricane Sandy hurricane Katrina and many others. in many capacities and most recently as DAT members, with Larry being the SW FL Chapter DAT Lead in our south response area.
Lori Brandt, Service to the Armed Forces
Lori is a Family Contact Card Volunteer Caseworker, assisting families of Service Members entering the military at the Tampa Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Her compassionate and friendly demeanor introducing these new military families to Red Cross services has resulted in CFL/USVI having the second highest Client Satisfaction Rating in the Division. Lori’s passion has made a great impact in the life of the service members and their families.
Drew Freyberger, Volunteer Services
Drew joined the Volunteer Services Team a year ago and really hit the ground running to help ensure productive, trained and satisfied volunteers across the region. Drew’s ability to learn our systems quickly has been integral to the success of our engagement support. We can call upon Drew to tailor reports for us, often in a quick turnaround, and he gets the job better than we could have even imagined. Even after Drew moved to California, he has remained a dedicated Central Florida volunteer and we could not be more grateful that he’s remained on our team.
Tampa Bay Chapter
Jim Tholen, Business Operations
Jim was recruited by another Volunteer and we are so grateful. Jim has jumped into his role with both feet. He takes pride in his work. I appreciate his willingness to help keep the facility in St. Petersburg and the one in Tampa clean and secure. The vehicles and maintained and beautiful.
David Beck, Disaster Cycle Services
David has been on the Disaster Action Team for nearly four years, mostly in a leadership capacity. Since 2020, he has served as the DAT Coordinator, leading one of the busiest DAT chapters in the State of Florida. He's frequently called upon for his expertise in handling complex situations and multi-family incidents. The Tampa Bay Chapter is grateful to have David on our team.
Daniel Brown, Public Affairs
Dan was one of the first volunteers to sign up for the Pinellas County partnership blood drive, and the first to arrive at the bus that morning. He immediately re-introduced himself and asked how he could help. He was happy to take a selfie on the bus at our request and asked where he could purchase a Red Cross t-shirt so he would be appropriately branded the next time. We took care of that, and we thank Dan for being such a great ambassador of our mission!
Rashi Lakhotia, Services to the Armed Forces
Rashi is an International Humanitarian Law Youth Advocate and an active member of the Middleton High School Youth Club. She has very engaged with the Be Red Cross Ready Campaign, virtually introducing this lifesaving preparedness program to families in Central Florida. In addition, she recently received an Honorable Mention for her essay “The Effects of Conflicts on Children’s Education” raising awareness of this tragedy impacting our youth.
Katherynn Pledger, Volunteer Services
Katherynn is been a major asset when it comes to volunteer kudos. Her hard work and determination to being prompt and timely with it is something we truly appreciate. She is amazing with juggling your duties here at the Red Cross, work and college.
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