St. Louis, Monday, May 3, 2010 – The American Red Cross Jefferson County Service Center honored its volunteers and community partners this month during a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the First Baptist Church of Arnold. During the event, the Red Cross highlighted community outreach made possible by outstanding community support. Since January of 2009, the Jefferson County Service Center touched the community in the following ways:

• 183 people from 51 families received emergency food, clothing, shelter, and long-term recovery referrals following local disasters.
• 11,486 people received preparedness instruction in Community Disaster Education programs.
• 416 local residents learned lifesaving First Aid and CPR.
• 8 blood drives were staffed by local volunteers.

 

“Whether it’s helping a family recover from a house fire, teaching First Aid and CPR so people can save lives, or helping blood donors feel comfortable, our volunteers enable the American Red Cross to help the community,” said Dale Chambers, Manager of the Jefferson County Service Center.

About the Award Recipients:

The Community Partners Award is presented in recognition of extraordinary cooperative working relationships within the community.

• Jefferson College – For more than 10 years, Jefferson College has hosted Red Cross Aquatics and Lifeguard Training classes, resulting in hundreds of trained lifeguards protecting local pools. The College is active in holding blood drives, annually collecting more than 125 units of blood. And Jefferson College was the location of the 2009 Community Heroes Day and will continue the Red Cross partnership in 2010.

 

The Blood Drive Award recognizes outstanding Blood Services volunteer commitment to providing support at local blood drives and/or donor centers. This volunteer goes above and beyond to strengthen or improve services provided to the community.

• Tom Murry (Crystal City, MO) – Tom is always eager to help out at a blood drive, and is there to greet donors as they prepare to roll up their sleeves. Tom is a regular fixture at blood drives for KSHE, the Jefferson County Service Center, and the annual Community Heroes Day.

 

The Honorary Service Chapter Service Award is presented in recognition of continued outstanding volunteer commitment, performance and impact. This year our recipients enable the St. Louis Area Chapter to function efficiently day in and out.

• Janet Olson (Imperial, MO) – Janet volunteers as the primary caseworker for Ameren UE’s Dollar More utility assistance program – helping people in need to stay warm, keep their electricity on, and be able to cook a meal in their homes. Janet’s caring and compassionate nature with her clients ensures that they have the resources they need to get through challenging circumstances.
• Robert Vinluan (Imperial, MO) – As a Lifeline Installer, Robert is passionate about providing excellent service to Lifeline subscribers. He realizes how important the Lifeline service is to keep senior citizens safe in their homes. Additionally, Robert volunteers on the Disaster Action Team, responding to local house fires to help families who have been left homeless. Robert has also traveled across the country to help the Red Cross on national disaster assignments.

 

The Leadership Award recognizes a distinguished volunteer for services performed at the chapter level or beyond for several years with or on behalf of the American Red Cross.

• Teena Kilo (Festus, MO) – Over the last eight years, Teena has held a number of leadership positions, serving in shelter management, as a Disaster Action Team Leader, as a training liaison and most importantly, as a volunteer mentor. She joined the Red Cross after September 11 and enjoys making a difference in her community.

 

The New Outstanding Volunteer Award is presented to a volunteer who has been with the Red Cross for less than one year and has strengthened and improved services.

• Tim Dallas (De Soto, MO) – Tim began volunteering with the Red Cross in August 2009, and has become an integral part of the disaster response service in Jefferson County. Tim responds to local house fires, providing comfort and necessities to those left homeless by a fire. He also coordinates outreach programs with local firehouses, speaking with first responders about the Red Cross role during disasters.

 

The Health and Safety Services Award is presented to a volunteer whose contributions led to an expansion and improvement of services such as CPR, First Aid, AED instruction, Aquatics/Water Safety, HIV/AIDS education and Pet First Aid.

• Marian Wallace (Arnold, MO) – Marian has been a Red Cross volunteer responding to national disaster scenes, but decided she wanted to do more. So she became a Red Cross CPR instructor, and taught more than 40 class hours in her first two months.

 

The National Disaster Preparedness & Response Volunteer Award is presented to an outstanding volunteer who has made a measurable impact on the American Red Cross and the clients we serve.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to the volunteer who has had the most profound impact on the Jefferson County Service Center and local Red Cross programs and services.

• Kathie Soehngen (St. Louis, MO) – Kathie is deserving of both the National Disaster Preparedness & Response Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award for her many contributions to the Red Cross. This past year, she served as a shelter manager in Fredericktown, MO, after a major ice storm. She is a retired school teacher who travels to classrooms around Jefferson County, providing lessons on Red Cross safety. Kathie often helps to provide orientation classes for new volunteers. And as a military mom, Kathie also volunteers with Red Cross Service to Armed Forces programs.

 

In addition, Years of Service Pins were presented to volunteers who have given 5 years or more of dedicated service to the organization and community. The following volunteers received this special recognition:

• Carl Fisk (House Springs, MO) – 5 years
• Koreen Gummere (Cedar Hill, MO) – 5 years
• Jennifer Coleman (Fenton, MO) – 10 years 
• Alexia Arensmeier (Fenton, MO) – 10 years