Red Cross of Georgia honored volunteers from across the state July 30.
The annual event, conducted virtually for the first time, is usually held in person and hosted by the eight Red Cross chapters in Georgia but was streamed online this year as a statewide celebration due to COVID-19.
“Our volunteers are crucial to our mission,” said Maria Center, executive director of the American Red Cross of Southeast Georgia. “It’s so important that we thank them and recognize their contributions to our organization and those we serve, even if that looks a little different this year.”
The event recognized the 4,229 registered Red Cross volunteers in Georgia and the 374,102 hours they served in fiscal year 2020. Their donated time, valued at $25 per hour, equates to $9.7 million dollars in services that helped prevent and alleviate human suffering in local communities.
Sixteen volunteers and partners from Southeast Georgia, nominated by their peers, were honored, including Effingham County’s Henry Walker.
Walker was named the Blood Services Volunteer of the Year. The annual award is for Blood Services volunteer swith exemplary leadership skills who have volunteered for at least one year and made an outstanding contribution to Blood Services and the community.
More volunteers are always needed to carry out the Red Cross mission. Anyone interested in becoming a Red Cross Volunteer can visit redcross.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
