VALDOSTA — The American Red Cross in South Georgia held its annual volunteer recognition dinner and business meeting recently at the Valdosta City Hall Annex multi-purpose room. 

“This is our annual event where we recognize those volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty,” said Terri Jenkins, Red Cross executive director. 

She outlined chapter highlights of the past year noting the Red Cross assisted more than 900 South Georgia residents with home fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. More than 300 cases were opened to assist members of the Armed Forces.

“More telling, though, is that within our 20-county region, 1,528 volunteers received training in first aid, CPR, babysitting, aquatics and instructor training,” Jenkins said, adding, “and our loyal blood donors donated over 7,600 units of blood in the region.”

Jenkins said the chapter surpassed its volunteer hours goal by “logging in 8,678 hours which was above and beyond our projected 7,666.”  

One-hundred-sixty-nine active volunteers achieved these goals, she said.

“Our ‘Sound the Alarm, Save a Life’ program resulted in 782 smoke alarms installed in multiple counties and 347 homes were made safer,” Jenkins said. “And 517 third through fifth graders received disaster education training through our ‘Pillowcase Project.’”

The chapter, entering its 101st year, tapped Valdosta native Gary Wisenbaker, chief executive officer of Blackstone, LLC, a corporate communications and political consulting firm, to replace outgoing board chair Jennie Boyer as the Fiscal Year 2019 chair.

Award recipients included Jake Dixon for outstanding bio med coordinator of the year; Al Jacobson of Waycross for outstanding bio med volunteer, Willie Leggett for outstanding service award and Tom Shapard for board member leadership and service award. 

The Tommy Miller Disaster Preparedness and Response Volunteer Award went to Marlene Thrawley for her countless hours in the disaster cycle services program. Robinson Broadcasting Company (WPAX-WTUF) of Thomasville was recognized with the good neighbor award for its media support. Pepi Nelson received the nurses award for her outstanding work in the shelters during the last hurricane season.

Three new board members were inducted. They are Chat Duboise, owner of Du Mealz, Valdosta attorney Paul Hamilton and June Mercer, broker at United Country Real Estate.

For additional information on volunteering, training or donations, contact Terri Jenkins, (229) 242-7404, or email terri.jenkins@recross.com.

 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.