This award, which was established in 2002 is given to a person who best exemplifies the spirit of one of our long-time volunteers, Justine Lowenberg Nusbaum. As a lifelong citizen of Norfolk, Justine began devoting her life to others at an early age. In 1917, at the age of 17, she began volunteering at the Red Cross, thus beginning an amazing uninterrupted span of 80 years of service to this organization! She volunteered in almost every aspect of the Red Cross and her desire to alleviate suffering through humanitarian service symbolizes an uncommon dedication and passion for the mission of the Red Cross. And so it is with our 2008 Justine Nusbaum Award Winner.
Dr. Robert Howell has volunteered with our Adult Dental Clinic at Park Place right from its inception. First by serving on the Dental Advisory Committee as the Chapter planned and negotiated with the City of Norfolk to provide dental care to adults in that community who were unable to pay for this vital service. His assistance during the important transition period between let’s do this, to we’re going to do this proved invaluable and his insight into the dental scheduling process was truly wonderful. Although the Clinic is now in its 9th year, Dr. Howell has been a supporter of free dental services for over 15 years. When a patient comes to the Clinic with an especially difficult dental problem, we look to him. He is also able to see patients who have multiple medical problems that may preclude them from being seen in a clinical setting. "Dr. Bob" will remain in the clinic long after he has finished with his patients to make sure that the other dentist on duty is finished. And, on many occasions he has been known to step in to “assist” a young dentist with a “difficult” patient.
When he is working with the dental students he will encourage them to continue with a procedure, helping them when necessary but making sure that they do the work!
When you have a volunteer who comes to you and says “I miss being in the Clinic, can I go back to volunteering two nights a month?” you know that you have someone who understands community needs and is deeply dedicated to the mission of the American Red Cross!
Financial Development Volunteer of the Year
Shirley Bisciglia
Our Bingo Volunteer of the year, Shirley Bisciglia, has been an employee of the American Red Cross for 29 years! Many of us know Shirley as the Director of Dental Programs. What many don’t know is that she is also a committed and crucial volunteer with the Friday night bingo games for the Chapter, which provides essential funds for local services. Every Friday afternoon, Shirley arrives early to do “whatever Helen tells her to do!” From selling game card packs to helping on the floor, Shirley is always ready and willing to help with whatever has to be done. Her invaluable and unwavering time, energy and commitment to the Chapter’s bingo game is a key ingredient to its success.
Blood Services Mobile Volunteer of the Year
Nell Cucinotta
Our Blood Services Mobile Volunteer of the Year for 2008 is Nell Cucinotta. Nellie’s service to the blood program defines commitment and dedication. When a need arises, she is there, ready to work. Each Monday and Friday, the region’s Norfolk and Virginia Beach Donor Centers have a regular schedule of donors who arrive at a steady pace. The need for volunteer canteen and registration volunteers is essential not only to the collection of blood products, but also to the care given to each donor. With travel, work and life constraints, it is often hard to keep these positions filled however Nellie has worked - not at just one site a week - but two! With over 2000 hours of volunteer service Nellie has served many blood donors over the last 13 years.
Blood Services Volunteer Driver of the Year
Michael Curran
Our Blood Services Driver of the Year is Michael Curran. Since 1997, Mike has faithfully answered the call to action for the Red Cross blood program. As a member of the volunteer transportation team, he is responsible for the timely execution of Blood Center Deliveries, a crucial link to saving lives. Always loyal and dedicated, Mike drives EVERY DAY, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY for the blood program and has logged 35,800 miles and 16,205 hours of his time since July 2006. With a great sense of pride and responsibility to our community, Mike is a shining example of the kindness and commitment of our volunteers to the American Red Cross.
Dental Volunteer of the Year
Chris Hartfield
The Dental Volunteer of the Year is Chris Hartfield. When you need something done at our Adult Dental Clinic in Park Place, she is always the one person you seek out because she is always willing to lend an extra hand. Chris provides clerical support to our Clinic one evening a week and every Monday morning. When she found out that a staff member was coming in from Chesapeake for 3 hours to screen patients she offered to volunteer in her place. Chris lends an empathetic ear to those who come to our clinic for help and she always makes sure that they receive the best care possible when they walk through the Clinic doors!
Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year
Dick Wilk
Our Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year is Dick Wilk, and he has become an intrinsic part of our Disaster Services family. To say he is an activeparticipant in our Disaster Action Team (DAT) program would be an understatement! During the Christmas/New Year’s holiday season that saw 12 fires in 16 days, Dick responded to ten of them including three major fires that took place in Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. And, with his former volunteer fire-fighter background, Dick brings a wealth of knowledge about disaster response. He also possesses the integrity, compassion and flexibility to make sure that those in need during an emergency… receives his utmost care and attention.
Health and Safety Training Volunteer of the Year
Doug Deaton
Douglas W. Deaton has been volunteering with the Red Cross in the Health and Safety Training Department since 1990. As a CPR and First Aid instructor, he teaches individuals how to prepare for and respond to emergencies in our community. Doug always goes that extra mile and it’s quite normal to see him bring in drinks, fruit and doughnuts to the classes that he teaches. There have been occasions when an instructor has been unable to teach a class at the last minute and if Doug is called, he will step up to get the job done! Doug Deaton is an asset to the American Red Cross and his professionalism and dedication to those he teaches is an inspiration to everyone around him.
Language Bank Volunteer of the Year
Fabiola Mariscal
Fabiola Mariscal, our Language Bank Volunteer of the Year, has devoted an incredible amount of time as a volunteer with the Language Bank. During the past year, the need for Spanish speaking interpreters has grown at an incredible rate! The influx of Hispanic natives to the local area has created a huge demand and necessity for Red Cross translators and interpreters and the service that Language Bank volunteers provide is priceless. During this time, Fabiola, willingly adjusted her work schedule to accommodate a myriad of requests for translators this past summer. It is this “can do” attitude and willingness to help whenever possible, that makes Fabiola such a valuable volunteer in the Language Bank!
Service to Armed Forces Volunteer of the Year
Michael Goode
Michael Goode has been a volunteer with the Services to Armed Forces Military Awareness Committee for more than two years. Mike started as a Disaster Services volunteer and inquired about becoming a volunteer for the Services to Armed Forces department. He had an interest in conducting military presentations to our military community and their family members. Mike enthusiastically worked to develop his presentation and attended briefings with other speakers. He is now faithfully conducting solo briefings for the military, reserve communities and their families. Often when other volunteers are not available, Mike graciously agrees to step in at almost a moment’s notice. Michael Goode is a tremendous, dedicated asset to the Services to Armed Forces department. His commitment to the Red Cross mission is commendable.
Special Events Volunteer of the Year
Marion Sawyer
Marion Sawyer is our Special Events Volunteer of the Year. There are times, both planned and emergency, that volunteers are needed in groups large and small for tasks ranging from raising money to assisting at blood drives to representing the Chapter a the state capital. No matter the size of the task, Marion Sawyer is always a stable force for the Chapter. With a can-do attitude, winning smile and a passion for service, Marion never fails to deliver. Her flexibility and unending energy have brought success to every project she is assigned. Always ready to for a challenge, Marion works to recruit the people needed to make events at the Chapter a success, even during last minute requests. She is a true steward of the Red Cross’s mission and commitment to the community.
Youth Services Volunteer of the Year 2008
Elizabeth McDougal
The Youth Services Volunteer of the Year is Elizabeth McDougal. For the past 7 years, Elizabeth has grown with the Red Cross volunteer programs. With almost 800 hours of service, Elizabeth has performed her many assignments with patience, self reliance and accuracy. Her scheduled duties are often in partnership with the many emergency calls to work at blood drives, special events, hurricane relief operations and countless other projects. She has recruited other youth volunteers; and shares her work knowledge and experiences with others, serving as a mentor and friend. Elizabeth is an excellent role model and represents the American Red Cross to her fullest.
Dr. Robert Howell has volunteered with our Adult Dental Clinic at Park Place right from its inception. First by serving on the Dental Advisory Committee as the Chapter planned and negotiated with the City of Norfolk to provide dental care to adults in that community who were unable to pay for this vital service. His assistance during the important transition period between let’s do this, to we’re going to do this proved invaluable and his insight into the dental scheduling process was truly wonderful. Although the Clinic is now in its 9th year, Dr. Howell has been a supporter of free dental services for over 15 years. When a patient comes to the Clinic with an especially difficult dental problem, we look to him. He is also able to see patients who have multiple medical problems that may preclude them from being seen in a clinical setting. "Dr. Bob" will remain in the clinic long after he has finished with his patients to make sure that the other dentist on duty is finished. And, on many occasions he has been known to step in to “assist” a young dentist with a “difficult” patient. 
Our Bingo Volunteer of the year, Shirley Bisciglia, has been an employee of the American Red Cross for 29 years! Many of us know Shirley as the Director of Dental Programs. What many don’t know is that she is also a committed and crucial volunteer with the Friday night bingo games for the Chapter, which provides essential funds for local services. Every Friday afternoon, Shirley arrives early to do “whatever Helen tells her to do!” From selling game card packs to helping on the floor, Shirley is always ready and willing to help with whatever has to be done. Her invaluable and unwavering time, energy and commitment to the Chapter’s bingo game is a key ingredient to its success. 
Our Blood Services Mobile Volunteer of the Year for 2008 is Nell Cucinotta. Nellie’s service to the blood program defines commitment and dedication. When a need arises, she is there, ready to work. Each Monday and Friday, the region’s Norfolk and Virginia Beach Donor Centers have a regular schedule of donors who arrive at a steady pace. The need for volunteer canteen and registration volunteers is essential not only to the collection of blood products, but also to the care given to each donor. With travel, work and life constraints, it is often hard to keep these positions filled however Nellie has worked - not at just one site a week - but two! With over 2000 hours of volunteer service Nellie has served many blood donors over the last 13 years. 
Our Blood Services Driver of the Year is Michael Curran. Since 1997, Mike has faithfully answered the call to action for the Red Cross blood program. As a member of the volunteer transportation team, he is responsible for the timely execution of Blood Center Deliveries, a crucial link to saving lives. Always loyal and dedicated, Mike drives EVERY DAY, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY for the blood program and has logged 35,800 miles and 16,205 hours of his time since July 2006. With a great sense of pride and responsibility to our community, Mike is a shining example of the kindness and commitment of our volunteers to the American Red Cross.
The Dental Volunteer of the Year is Chris Hartfield. When you need something done at our Adult Dental Clinic in Park Place, she is always the one person you seek out because she is always willing to lend an extra hand. Chris provides clerical support to our Clinic one evening a week and every Monday morning. When she found out that a staff member was coming in from Chesapeake for 3 hours to screen patients she offered to volunteer in her place. Chris lends an empathetic ear to those who come to our clinic for help and she always makes sure that they receive the best care possible when they walk through the Clinic doors!
Our Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year is Dick Wilk, and he has become an intrinsic part of our Disaster Services family. To say he is an active participant in our Disaster Action Team (DAT) program would be an understatement! During the Christmas/New Year’s holiday season that saw 12 fires in 16 days, Dick responded to ten of them including three major fires that took place in Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. And, with his former volunteer fire-fighter background, Dick brings a wealth of knowledge about disaster response. He also possesses the integrity, compassion and flexibility to make sure that those in need during an emergency… receives his utmost care and attention. 
Douglas W. Deaton has been volunteering with the Red Cross in the Health and Safety Training Department since 1990. As a CPR and First Aid instructor, he teaches individuals how to prepare for and respond to emergencies in our community. Doug always goes that extra mile and it’s quite normal to see him bring in drinks, fruit and doughnuts to the classes that he teaches. There have been occasions when an instructor has been unable to teach a class at the last minute and if Doug is called, he will step up to get the job done! Doug Deaton is an asset to the American Red Cross and his professionalism and dedication to those he teaches is an inspiration to everyone around him. 
Fabiola Mariscal, our Language Bank Volunteer of the Year, has devoted an incredible amount of time as a volunteer with the Language Bank. During the past year, the need for Spanish speaking interpreters has grown at an incredible rate! The influx of Hispanic natives to the local area has created a huge demand and necessity for Red Cross translators and interpreters and the service that Language Bank volunteers provide is priceless. During this time, Fabiola, willingly adjusted her work schedule to accommodate a myriad of requests for translators this past summer. It is this “can do” attitude and willingness to help whenever possible, that makes Fabiola such a valuable volunteer in the Language Bank! 
Michael Goode has been a volunteer with the Services to Armed Forces Military Awareness Committee for more than two years. Mike started as a Disaster Services volunteer and inquired about becoming a volunteer for the Services to Armed Forces department. He had an interest in conducting military presentations to our military community and their family members. Mike enthusiastically worked to develop his presentation and attended briefings with other speakers. He is now faithfully conducting solo briefings for the military, reserve communities and their families. Often when other volunteers are not available, Mike graciously agrees to step in at almost a moment’s notice. Michael Goode is a tremendous, dedicated asset to the Services to Armed Forces department. His commitment to the Red Cross mission is commendable. 
Marion Sawyer is our Special Events Volunteer of the Year. There are times, both planned and emergency, that volunteers are needed in groups large and small for tasks ranging from raising money to assisting at blood drives to representing the Chapter a the state capital. No matter the size of the task, Marion Sawyer is always a stable force for the Chapter. With a can-do attitude, winning smile and a passion for service, Marion never fails to deliver. Her flexibility and unending energy have brought success to every project she is assigned. Always ready to for a challenge, Marion works to recruit the people needed to make events at the Chapter a success, even during last minute requests. She is a true steward of the Red Cross’s mission and commitment to the community. 
The Youth Services Volunteer of the Year is Elizabeth McDougal. For the past 7 years, Elizabeth has grown with the Red Cross volunteer programs. With almost 800 hours of service, Elizabeth has performed her many assignments with patience, self reliance and accuracy. Her scheduled duties are often in partnership with the many emergency calls to work at blood drives, special events, hurricane relief operations and countless other projects. She has recruited other youth volunteers; and shares her work knowledge and experiences with others, serving as a mentor and friend. Elizabeth is an excellent role model and represents the American Red Cross to her fullest.