Shining Example of a True Humanitarian

by: Catie Ballenger Mile High Area‚ Power of Volunteers Comment off

By Catie Ballenger, Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming Public Affairs

Lynda Monsey, a former Nurse Practitioner at Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center and American Red Cross of Colorado volunteer extraordinaire, is retiring from the Red Cross. As the Mile-High Chapter Health Services team lead, she was responsible for coordinating, supervising and mentoring Health Services caseworkers to help prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Dennis Hughes, Senior Disaster Program Manager, has worked closely with Lynda for many years. When he describes the dedicated volunteer, Dennis says, “She is small but fierce! Lynda has always been a shining example of a true humanitarian. She has been an advocate on many fronts – for our clients, for our staff and for her team.”

Today, we celebrate this selfless woman and show our appreciation for her dedication to the Red Cross mission.

Lynda has volunteered with the Mile High chapter since February 1997. In that time, she deployed 14 times, her deployments ranging from local home fires, regional blizzards and forest fires and national mass casualty events and hurricanes. Lynda earned five different Group Activity Positions (GAPS) and was awarded at least eight awards during her tenure with the Red Cross.

Lynda Monsey

“When I’m at a disaster scene, I have to summon all of the education and tricks of the trade I’ve learned over the last 30 years,” Lynda once said. But to observe and be mentored by Lynda on a disaster response operation, you would know she is a natural-born nurturer, teacher and compassionate soul.

Thank you, Lynda! You will be missed.

Awards and Appreciation: 

  • 03-14-2021       Chapter Award  Certificate of Appreciation: Spring Blizzard 2021
  • 02-11-2021       Chapter Award  Nurse Patch
  • 06-28-2018       Chapter Award  BJ Coyle Passion for Service
  • 06-28-2018       Years of Service 5 Years          
  • 06-28-2018       Years of Service 10 Years        
  • 06-28-2018       Years of Service 15 Years        
  • 06-28-2018       Years of Service 20 Years
  • 11-30-2007       Chapter Award  Honor Roll

GAPS:

  • Individual Disaster Care – Disaster Health Services – Supervisor
  • Individual Disaster Care – Disaster Health Services – Service Associate
  • Individual Client Services – Health Services – Service Associate 
  • Staff Services – Staff wellness – Service Associate        
  • Mass Care – Sheltering – Service Associate
Lynda, thanks for passing the torch. I'm not sure I ever wanted it, but it felt like the right thing to do at the time, and it really was doable, thanks to your processes and organization of stuff. Often, just when I was fed up you frequently put things into perspective with one of your expletives---adages. Most I shouldn't or won't repeat, but tensions were always relieved when you would say "going to hell in a handbasket" over and over and over. Thanks for everything you have taught me and for making this job about caring. This isn't Goodbye, it is see you when you get back from your wandering and have your batteries recharged for the next wave of technology. Please COME Back!! Thank you so so much. Friends always, Amy
Amy Acres
Disaster Health Services Volunteer