By Josh Egbert, American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming, Public Affairs
When Terri Stephen retired from the University of Wyoming, she knew she wanted to continue to foster her passion for working with people. In 2017, she began her journey with the American Red Cross.
“I attended a Red Cross meeting at the library, where the mission of the Red Cross was presented and I was hooked,” explains Terri. “Two days later, I had a meeting with the intake screener and we decided that my skills would best be utilized with Volunteer Services and Youth Preparedness.”
Terri is heavily involved with teaching young kids in Wyoming how to prepare for emergencies. She presents The Pillowcase Project to elementary aged students to increase awareness of natural hazards and encourage emergency preparedness actions.
“Having teachers email me to say that their parents told them that our presentation promoted more discussion and family readiness than any other guest speaker had ever provided reinforces that what we are doing is important work,” said Terri. “Reaching out to these students enables me to reconnect with my teaching past as well as prepare students for possible home fire disasters in the future.”
Recently, Terri had the opportunity to help install a specialized smoke alarm, commonly referred to as a “Bed Shaker” alarm. The alarm is installed next to the bed and alerts those in the home using a strobe light and vibrating pad that can be placed under the mattress or pillow.
“The bed shaker apparatus, which is connected to a smoke alarm, is a definite improvement over only having lights to warn deaf and hard of hearing people to the presence of a home fire,” said Terri. “I was asked to interpret for the deaf residents of the home as the bed shaker was installed, and the clients were able to try it out and feel the vibrations produced by the bed shaker.”
Terri spent 40 years of her professional career as a teacher, working in hearing impaired classrooms. As an educator, she understands the importance of working with the community and in the classroom. She said being a volunteer with the Red Cross combines her passion for teaching and being the light on someone’s worst day during a disaster.
“I tell prospective volunteers that you will experience an incomparable sense of purpose helping others and you will never regret your decision to join such a people-focused, compassionate group of volunteers and staff,” added Terri. “As I was told then I first joined the Red Cross, we are the best part of a person’s, or family’s, worst day.”
If you’d like to learn more about becoming a volunteer, visit our website and help make a difference, just like Terri!