Being a Red Cross volunteer signifies to the community that you are someone who cares. And our Bingo Volunteer of the Year demonstrates Friday evenings just how much he cares! Through the dedication and support of this volunteer, much-needed financial resources come into the Chapter so that we can continue to provide important services to our community. To set up for our games, he arrives around 3:30pm and stays until everything is locked up around 10:30. And speaking in the bingo lingo, he also sells such things as Red Cars, Bags of Cash and Speed Balls along with preparing all payouts, counting money and balancing the instant sales sheet! We are indeed fortunate to have as our Bingo Volunteer of the Year…Mike Bisciglia!
JoAnn Elrod
Blood Services Mobile Volunteer of the Year
Our Blood Services Mobile Volunteer of the Year reminds us of our purpose and her commitment strengthens us from within through her selfless service and dedication to the mission of the Red Cross. And perhaps more importantly, reminds us that one person can make a meaningful difference! Beginning in 2003, this Volunteer of the Year has amassed approximately 582 volunteer hours with the Mid-Atlantic Blood Services and is a steadfast, reassuring presence at the Virginia Beach Fixed Site. Although an accident has caused her to slow down a bit on her volunteering, she remains truly inspiring to all of us who know JoAnn Elrod, our Blood Mobile Volunteer of the Year for 2010.
Charles Cohick
Blood Services Transportation Volunteer of the Year 2010
As the largest U.S. supplier of blood and blood products, the Red Cross has to collect blood donations each and every day in order that that the supply of blood meets the needs of people who are in need of this precious gift 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And it is with the assistance of this dedicated transportation volunteer, who has made it his Red Cross mission to ensure that blood is transported to communities near and far, that makes it possible for the Red Cross to provide this important service. His commitment and dedication to the Red Cross mission is demonstrated daily – this year alone he has driven over 9,000 miles, volunteered 340 hours and assisted every Saturday with our local Blood Center Deliveries. We are very grateful to have as our Blood Services Transportation Volunteer of the Year for 2010, Charles Cohick.
Theresa Preston
Dental Programs Volunteer of the Year 2010
You may think that it would be as hard as pulling teeth to find just the right words to describe our Dental Programs Volunteer of the Year for 2010! Not so with this volunteer because she truly reflects the power that volunteers have to inspire the people they help and to inspire others to serve. She garners respect and provides a level of compassionate commitment that is the hallmark of a volunteer receiving this prestigious recognition. As an experienced dental assistant, she helps provide quality dental care to underserved individuals in Norfolk who normally would not be able to receive this care, thus fulfilling the Red Cross’ important mission to help people in need. Plus, not only providing instruction on home oral health care, she will go out of her way to give patients much-needed resources to help them address other medical problems. We are indeed fortunate to have as our Dental Volunteer of the Year…Theresa Preston.
John McNulty
Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year 2010
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. And as a Disaster Action Team Leader and Community Disaster Education Presenter over the past several years, this volunteer exemplifies the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. Whether leading a team responding to a disaster or training Social Service staffs in Portsmouth and Norfolk, his flexibility and versatile talents have been wonderful assets to the Disaster Services team. Through his instruction, he has empowered others by teaching them skills and giving them the knowledge to keep their communities and families safe. For his exemplary service to the Chapter and to the American Red Cross, we name John McNulty (affectionately known by us as Big John), Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year for 2010.
Dick Boyle Health and Safety Training Volunteer of the year 2010
Dick’s devotion to the Red Cross fundamental principles of preventing, preparing and responding to emergencies has made our community a safer place.
A little over a year ago the Red Cross has started their blended learning program using a combination of a computer to teach CPR in the comfort of a students own home and /or workplace followed by a skills session to complete the course. The skills session takes place at the Virginia Beach office by a First Aid/CPR/AED and professional rescuer instructor. Dick Boyle has willingly come to our rescue to run these skill sessions every Wednesday morning.
Dick is an excellent instructor who is always well prepared. He is very supportive of his students as he helps them complete their skills. Dick encourages his students to strive harder and gain a higher level of self-confidence. At the end of one particular skill session of 5 students - Dick’s commented to me that he just trained 5 people how to save a life. He said it was a worth while morning.
Dick comes to us with a strong back ground in aquatics as a high school swim coach, water safety and Lifeguard instructor. Dick is also an instructor for the Lay responder first aid/CPR/AED and CPR for the professional rescuer.
Dick represents a true spirit of a Red Cross volunteer. His dedication and resourcefulness has greatly contributed to the success and overall mission of the American Red Cross.
Joyce Douglas
Service to Armed Forces Volunteer of the Year for 2010
The Red Cross benefits from the collective wisdom that volunteers with experience can bring to our organization as we seek to fulfill the important mission of the Red Cross. And our Service to Armed Forces Volunteer of the Year for 2010, who is also a professional educator, brings with her a wealth of knowledge along with a love of what she does within this department. She provides exemplary service to our military community by supporting all of our Red Cross Armed Forces programs, and offers comfort and compassion through the numerous special projects that she undertakes. One such project included providing support during our awesome holiday mail campaign in which 3,000 greetings were distributed to our military! She also organized a flawless registration process for a series of no-cost Red Cross babysitting classes for military youth which has proven to be a wonderful benefit to everyone who has utilized the system. Joyce Douglas is a most-deserving selection for the Service to Armed Forces Volunteer of the Year for 2010!
