Alicia Rendon is a vibrant 14-year-old with a passion for helping people. She is a Red Cross Youth volunteer working this summer at Fort Carson’s Evans Army Hospital just south of Colorado Springs, Colo. Alicia was recognized recently for her volunteer work and was selected as the Youth Volunteer of the Quarter.
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| L-R Maj Gen LaCamera, Alicia Rendon Therese LaCamera, Sgt Maj Joyce at Fort Carson volunteer recognition ceremony |
The recognition ceremony was held at the Fort Carson 4th Infantry Division Headquarters. Maj. Gen. Paul LaCamera , Commander of the 4th ID, his wife Therese, and Sargent Major Richard Joyce made the presentation to Alicia in front of other volunteers and their families. “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization,” Maj Gen LaCamera said. “We couldn’t do our job without them.”
As a volunteer at Evans Army Hospital, Alicia has gained skills and done things that even she hadn’t expected. “My biggest highlight this summer was to work in the Mountain Post Birthing Center,” Rendon said. “I got to witness the birth of a baby boy.” Her other duties included helping out at the reception desk, making patient charts, answering phones, running labs and setting up baby sensors. She also helped the nurses by picking up patient trays, setting up bassinets and stocking supplies.
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| Alicia Rendon (r) stands with her mother Wendy Rendon before receiving her award as Youth Volunteer of the Quarter |
Alicia plans to continue volunteering with the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces Program at Evans Army Hospital. She hopes to pursue education and a career in the medical field. “My experience as a volunteer has allowed me to see what all was involved in a birthing center,” Rendon said. “I get to see the teamwork that is involved.”
According to Alicia, it is all about giving a “helping hand.” “It’s the little things that make a big difference even if you volunteer one day,” Rendon said.