Our Volunteers Rock! is theme of American Red Cross Community Recognition Dinner

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • October 23, 2011
  • 286
                        
Summary: Thousands of hours and many years of community volunteer service from committed individuals were recently recognized by the Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross. Over three thousand hours of volunteer time in 2011 and 290 years of cumulative years of service were recognized as the Muskingum Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross held their Community Recognition Dinner. The Oct.20 dinner was held at the United Methodist Church on West High in New Philadelphia, and the 100 or so guests attending were treated to a visit from the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, played by Barbara Stockert. “The chapter was chartered in 1917, and now serves the three county areas of Carroll, Harrison, and Tuscarawas County,” noted Stockert, as she completed her first person address. “Day by day, I continue to pledge myself to Red Cross service, here in our own country, and to continue faithfully here in our own area. I trust that you will continue to do so, as we carry on the tradition of our services.” Local Red Cross board chairman Linda Egler thanked the guests for attending. “Look around your table, at the persons across from you. You are the Red Cross. We don’t want to forget that aspect that you, our volunteers, are the first line that everyone sees. We thank you for all you have done for us,” said Egler. Director Chad Conrad explained that the chapter had decided to add a new Volunteer of the Year Award in honor of longtime volunteer Sonnie Keefer, who moved away in the past year. The Sonnie Keefer Distinguished Volunteer Award was presented to Rich Rock. “We had a nice going away event for Sonnie this past summer, and we presented her with a certificate to let her know we were establishing this award in her honor,” said Conrad. “We told her we would be giving this award every year from now on to someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, and this year we are honoring Rich. Rich is a very important part of our disaster team, and does such things as helping to keep our facility up and running. He has been a very vital part of the team, and is very active for us.” Other volunteer awards went to Tom VanGilder for Disaster Services; Krista Schubach for Health and Safety; Matt and Bethany Burton for Water Safety; Kiersten Fouts for Youth Services; Deb Swiney for Administrative Services, and Mike Garbrandt for Support Services. Thirteen attendees were named to the Life Saver’s Club for giving a total of 3,100 hours in the past year, and twenty individuals were given special recognition for their combined 320 years of service. “I have made friends for life. I have been able to work with four or five different chapters before retiring as an executive director. It’s just been fantastic,” said Marylou Cooper, as she came to the microphone to be honored for 55 years of service with the American Red Cross, the most years compiled by anyone in the room. “I had to give up my instructor job because I couldn’t get up or down anymore, but I’ve met a great group of people. Chad Conrad has done a terrific job with the local organization. I just hope that all of you who are volunteers just have as many great experiences as I have.” Garaway, Indian Valley, Claymont, and Tusky Valley schools all were given the Outstanding School Award, and other individuals and organizations were given awards for Above and Beyond, Good Neighbor, Community Volunteer, Workplace Safety, the Clara Barton award, and the Humanitarian Award. The Distinguished Partnership award was presented to several local businesses, including the Bargain Hunter. “We are grateful to the Bargain Hunter for partnering with us,” Conrad stated. “They are very supportive in getting the word out about who we are and what we do.” Any groups or individuals interested in volunteering with the Red Cross are encouraged to call 330-343-8633 or go online to www.mlcredcross.org.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load