Volunteer Spotlight: Leslie Trier

CPR and First Aid Instructor

Babysitter Training Instructor

Health and Safety Services Committe

Since 2004, Leslie Trier has been teaching health and safety courses for the American Red Cross including CPR, First Aid and babysitting. After losing a close family member to a heart condition, Leslie realized the importance of health and safety education. It is vital for members of our community to understand CPR and first aid in the event of an emergency, and Leslie’s devotion to instruction has enabled many volunteers to become certified. In addition to her work with the American Red Cross as an instructor, Leslie serves on the Health and Safety committee, a position she has held since 2006. This committee works to meet the annual goals of heath and safety. Leslie plans to continue her volunteer work with the American Red Cross and hopes to continue to see others become certified in lifeguarding, CPR or other health and safety skills.

Volunteer Spotlight: Sandra and James Whitney

Disaster Volunteers

When disaster strikes, James and Sandy Whitney are there to help. The Whitneys have been responding to fires for the past few years, comforting the clients and providing them with appropriate hotel lodging, blankets, food, clothing, toiletries or anything else that the family might need. Sandy takes phone calls throughout the night and designates the appropriate volunteers to respond to the site. If someone is unavailable, Sandy takes charge and responds with James. The Whitneys are able to handle the stresses of clients who have just lost their homes while remaining calm and encouraging, which are vital skills for the crisis response team. Most clients are extremely distraught and unable to think clearly about how to get back on their feet. The Whitneys listen to the clients speak about their worries and concerns, giving them a chance to recover from the shock of the disaster. At a time when clients need it most, help is always there. The Whitneys are valuable members of the Red Cross team who demonstrate true kindness to those in need.

Volunteer Spotlight: Ken Wells

CPR and First Aid Instructor

Health and Safety Services Committee

Ken Wells, an athletic trainer and Red Cross East Georgia Chapter Volunteer, was certified to teach Red Cross courses as a graduate student.  Since 1995, he has instructed parents and coaches in athletic safety through Red Cross Sports Safety Training Courses.  In the past year, Ken has also served as a member of the Health and Safety Committee.  This dedication to volunteer work reflects his commitment to the safety of athletes at all levels of sport.  While he knows that anyone can benefit from the training the Red Cross provides, Ken says that the parents and coaches of child athletes may gain the most because youth teams often lack the expertise needed to prevent and treat injuries.  Sports Safety courses teach important precautions such as stretching, properly warming up, and use of necessary braces.  However, they also train those taking the course to respond properly to accidents by employing basic first aid and treating common injuries such as sprains and strains.  Ken plans to continue helping our community to prevent accidents and save lives through his work with the American Red Cross.

Volunteer Spotlight: Shalimar Crowe

Lifesaver

Shalimar Crowe first enrolled in Red Cross CPR and First Aid training courses in the summer of 2001. She found many opportunities to employ the skills she learned when she worked a lifeguard at a City Pool with children who sometimes had trouble swimming or found themselves with minor cuts and bruises. Last fall, Shalimar received additional training and was certified to teach CPR courses. However, the techniques that Shalimar teaches in Red Cross classrooms were tested in a new way during a recent trip she took to Honduras. Her first experience with rescue breathing in a real emergency came unexpectedly during her time out of the country. While doing mission work, Shalimar was faced with a woman who lost consciousness. After attempting to revive the woman in other ways, Shalimar decisively performed rescue breathing at the critical moment with the help of another mission worker . The woman fully recovered, and Shalimar encourages everyone to equip themselves to respond as effectively as she did in emergency situations by receiving CPR and First Aid Instruction. “You never know when something will happen,” she says, and we all hope to be as prepared as she was when it does.

Volunteer Spotlight: Leigh-Anne Travers

Armed Forces Emergency Services Volunteer

As a student at the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Leigh- Anne Travers has dedicated much of her time this year partnering with the Red Cross to help her fellow servicemen and women. When a soldier’s family faces a big event at home, such as a birth in the family or a serious illness or death, Red Cross volunteers act quickly to deliver these important messages across the world. They then set in motion the process which allows members of the military to return home in time for important family events. Leigh-Anne volunteered to act as this year’s Volunteer Coordinator. In this position, she recruits other volunteers among her classmates and organizes schedules for their training and volunteerism. Leigh-Anne estimates that around ninety percent of her classmates have donated their time to aid Red Cross efforts. Some of those students have received important messages through the Red Cross themselves, so they understand the importance of this work. Others, like Leigh- Anne, have not yet been to the front lines, but they are happy to provide this invaluable service to others knowing that they may one day need it themselves.

Spotlight: Michael Burwell

Lifeguard

CPR and First Aid Instructor

Lifeguard Instructor

Michael Burwell has worked for six years as a lifeguard leading up to his current job at the University of Georgia’s Ramsey Center pool. His involvement in lifeguarding began with his first Red Cross training course. He learned first aid and CPR for the professional rescuer as well as the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). These skills prepared him for water safety emergencies involving people of all ages, and he used his abilities working in Clarke County Public Pools and at the Athens Country Club before his employment at the University. Michael’s success as a lifeguard and positive Red Cross learning experience inspired him work toward certification as a lifeguarding instructor.
In the past year, Michael has taught five re-certification courses as well as a full lifeguarding course. The emergency training that the Red Cross provided to Michael has equipped him to pass on his knowledge to others and to increase the safety of everyone in our area.

Volunteer Spotlight: Sandra Mauldin

Disaster Services Volunteer

Chair of Mass Care Committee

National Relief Volunteer

Though she is a longtime nutritionist in the Oconee County school system, in her spare time Sandra Mauldin travels the country providing disaster relief with the American Red Cross. Sandra began her volunteer work in 1993 when her children left her with an empty nest. Since that time, she has used her extensive knowledge of food service to provide countless disaster victims with nutritious meals. Sandra's experience with mass care helped her to organize the feeding of over one million people during severe flooding in Texas. However, her ability to handle stressful situations gracefully and to relate to both disaster victims and her fellow volunteers equips her to affect much more than the stomachs of those she meets. Sandra has received many awards and recognitions for her devoted service, but her motivation to serve continues to be her love for people.

Volunteer Spotlight: Marcia Brooks

Disaster Action Team Captain

In Morgan county, Marcia Brooks is approaching the first anniversary of her service to the Red Cross. Marcia's challenging work with the Disaster Action Team takes her to the scenes of fires and natural disasters just when most are fleeing them. Once there, her responsibilities include everything from completing paperwork to compassionately listening to disaster victims to determine and provide for their immediate needs. However, Marcia insists that the most important skill a volunteer can bring to the job is a willingness to give time. Marcia has also been inspired by area firemen who have taken the initiative to receive Red Cross training so that they can team with Disaster Action workers more effectively. She says that the Red Cross experience has "made her more compassionate and understanding, and thankful for what I have".

Volunteer Spotlight: Traci Mason

Disaster Services Volunteer

For three years, Traci Mason has volunteered with the
American Red Cross East Georgia Chapter's Disaster Action
Team. When natural disasters interrupt the lives of
individuals and families in Hart and Franklin Counties, Traci
is among the first on the scene. At any hour of day or night,
she drops everything to aid those affected by fires,
tornadoes, or other disasters. By listening to the stories of
disaster victims, she and her team determine their immediate
physical needs and find practical ways to meet them. The Red
Cross provides anything from lodging, food, and clothing to
the toothbrushes, shampoo, and other toiletries provided in
Comfort Kits. Volunteers also help victims to make lodging
arrangements for their pets and to locate the medications
they need.  Traci Mason is a valuable member of the Red Cross
team who compassionately serves those most in need of comfort.

Volunteer Spotlight: Frank Bachelder

Board Member

Frank Bacheldor has served as a Board Member of the American Red Cross East Georgia Chapter for the past thirteen years.
This volunteer position requires great sacrifices of time and energy, but Frank nevertheless describes his participation as “very rewarding.” Much of Frank’s work takes place behind the scenes, where he organizes fund-raising events and assists the Chapter staff. For a decade, Frank has helped plan the annual Red Cross 5K Run/Walk down to the smallest detail, such as setting up chairs at the run site. This race typically includes up to 350 participants, ranging from high school track teams to toddlers joined by their parents. Frank’s dedication exemplifies the selfless, patient service of the entire team of Red Cross volunteers.

Volunteer Spotlight: Celia Cullifer

                                 Office Volunteer

Celia began volunteering at the East Georgia Chapter in 1997. She started out volunteering in the disaster services department with data entry. Currently, Celia volunteers in the health and safety department with Jennifer Bridges, Health and Safety Services Director. Celia enters course records into the computer system. Celia comes in every week and gets a lot done in a short amount of time.