By Pat Kondas, American Redd Cross of Wyoming Public Affairs
The 2022 American Red Cross of Wyoming Volunteer Recognition ceremony was held earlier this month to honor some of the outstanding volunteers who serve the state.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Red Cross. Besides deploying to disasters around the country, volunteers respond to house fires and other local emergencies, providing immediate assistance, including health and mental health services and other assistance. Volunteers assist with programs like blood drives and the Home Fire Campaign that provides free smoke alarms to homes around the country.
Nationally, the Red Cross has more than 300,000 volunteers — over 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce. Wyoming has three staff positions and about 100 volunteers who cover all 23 counties and two tribal territories.
Gino Greco, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming, opened the ceremony with a tribute to the volunteers: “The Red Cross wouldn’t exist without volunteers like you! We can never thank you enough for the compassion, courage and commitment you bring to the table in making our world a better place!”
The awards and recipients:
Volunteer of the Year: Mel Warren
The Volunteer of the Year award is given to a volunteer who, in the past year, demonstrated exceptional volunteer service and commitment to supporting and improving the quality of service provided by the American Red Cross. Mel Warren, Casework Lead, answers calls at all times of the day and night and never fails to follow up with those in need. She has amassed a great wealth of knowledge about all community resources in the area and readily goes above and beyond to offer the extra information to those that have been affected by a disaster and who are in need.
Passion for Service: Katrina Geesaman
The Passion for Service award is given to a volunteer who does their work with skill, talent and knowledge, and also with passion. Katrina Geesaman has spent countless hours learning everything about the Red Cross applications and programs so that she can be ready to serve others in their time of need. She always focuses on kindness when she is helping others.
The Clara Barton Award: Terri Stephan
The Clara Barton Award honors a volunteer who holds a leadership position and has a positive impact through exemplary dedication to the Red Cross and our community. Terri Stephan, Volunteer Services Lead, has consistently provided leadership in identifying and assessing volunteer performance and organizational concerns. She has good cooperation with other volunteers and employees to develop and implement effective solutions in a resourceful manner, and she provides constructive guidance to other volunteers and employees.
Other Awards given: Rookie of the Year and Unsung Heroes.
- The Rookie of the Year award is given to new volunteers who have done outstanding work within the organization in their first years of service. Casey Harrity, Wyoming Red Cross Board Member, has developed relationships with Team Rubicon in Western Wyoming to further the Red Cross mission. Candis Pickard, Wyoming Red Cross Board Chairman, prepares agendas, reviews minutes and runs meetings, and also serves on the Board’s Mission Sub-Committee.
- The Unsung Hero award is given to volunteers who quietly and with care complete their tasks to support the Red Cross mission. David Blaida, Home Fire Campaign Lead, has made connections with approximately 20 different organizations to partner with the Red Cross. Jane Iddings brings years of experience and knowledge to the table with the casework team; she demonstrates a high level of commitment to serving and representing her community, clients, and the Red Cross. Gilbert Nelson, Government Operations Service Associate, deployed to Louisiana for the Hurricane Ida Disaster Response Operation and has also served in other positions with diligence and commitment to the Red Cross. Dee Buckstaff, Community Volunteer Leader, has represented the Wyoming Red Cross to elected officials, media and the greater Teton County community; she also teaches Red Cross classes, including First Aid and CPR.
The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families.
There is a continuing need for volunteers to serve in the various tasks. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please visit redcross.org or contact a local Red Cross office.