Volunteers Recognized for Selfless Service in the South Plains

Volunteering is tough. I don’t necessarily feel selfish when I say that; Like many people who have to balance work, school, family and friends, the thought of giving what little of my time that is left away seems like a terrifying idea. Being as neurotic as I am, I’ve actually counted out the hours in my weekly routine and, not surprisingly, it’s hard to squeeze even a minute of something into my crazy life. Of course, I can say all this as someone who’s volunteered before. This isn’t my first rodeo - I’ve given my time to volunteer for academic clubs, charities, even as a date once. But, after meeting with the recipients of this year’s American Red Cross Volunteer Awards Ceremonies, I have this lingering suspicion in the back of my mind that I should re-evaluate what it really means to be a good Samaritan.

Of course, others volunteer for reasons much less selfish than my own; the recipients of this year’s many awards are proof of that. In total, these men and women have dedicated thousands of hours of hard work to the Red Cross with a simple end in mind - making the South Plains a safer community. It’s a calling that seems to span age, ethnicity and social status. Volunteers include retirees Gerald and Ethel Chambers, who have for years worked on the Disaster Action Team in Plainview, responding to catastrophes even at the dead of night, or Victor Martinez, who juggles presiding of the Texas Tech Red Cross Club, being a full time student, and preparing for medical school.

Volunteers and Staff, including Erin Imhoff, far right

For these volunteers, it seems like the spirit of giving is in their blood. One such volunteer is Erin Imhoff.  I had a chance to speak with Erin, recipient of both the Presidential Lifetime Service Award and the Disaster Preparedness & Response Volunteer Award. Just as fun trivia, how did she earn a award recognized by the President of the United States? Since 2007, Erin has donated over 4,000 (yes, thousand) hours to the American Red Cross. We chatted for a few minutes about the food, her awards, and then we went into the hard question. I had to know, why volunteer at the American Red Cross? I'm not sure what about her answer threw me off at first; the nobility of it or how simple it was. For Erin, volunteer at the Red Cross “because you can be someone’s hero.” In context, this week alone, four apartments in Lubbock burned, leaving eight people on the brink of homelessness; in Louisiana, communities are slowly recovering from one of the worst natural disasters in our nation’s history; world-wide, families are battling measles, a disease shockingly simple to prevent with the right vaccinations. For all of these tragedies, the Red Cross and it’s almost all-volunteer workforce have been there, giving a hero to those who need it most. Erin is one of those heroes, and to meet someone who sacrifices selflessly was a humbling experience.

Listening to these stories, of the impact that one person can have on so many lives, it’s hard not to feel motivated to do something good. Honestly, I don’t think I have what it takes to tack 4,000 hours of volunteer work under my belt, but maybe finding that hour or two won’t be so difficult next time I'm asked. Perhaps there’s a strange part of me that wants to be someone’s hero, too.

A special thanks to Rudy’s BBQ for catering the event. The food was on point.

Red Cross Staff, including North Texas CEO Keith Rhodes

2016 Volunteer Awards Recipients:

Presidential Lifetime Service Award - Erin Imhoff

Silver Presidential Achievement Award - Peter Farr

Bronze Achievement Award - Brittany Walker

Certificate of Dedication - Gerry Grant

Certificate for Outstanding Service – Stan & Betty Foster

Certificate of Appreciation - Weston Ward

Certificate of Appreciation – Miles Hardaway

Certificate of Appreciation – Ellen Wilson

Rookie of the Year Award - Peter Farr

Mentorship Award - Gerald & Ethel Chambers

Woodrow Wilson Youth Award for Exemplary Youth Leadership and Service - Victor Martinez

Administrative Support Volunteer Award- Jade Ngoc

Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership -  Dwain Cox

Community Spirit Award - Richard Alires

The Erwin Thal Philanthropic Award – Cynthia Jumper, M.D.

Disaster Preparedness & Response Volunteer Award - Erin Imhoff

Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award - Clarke Cochran

Chapter Exceptional Employee of the Year Award - John Cummins

Employee Rookie of the Year Award –  Jennifer Trengove

Employee of the Year – Judy Pevytoe

Steven Lara

Volunteer - American Red Cross

Meet our Chapter Volunteer of the Year

By Daniel Steffy, Intern

Joe Faubion at the Hurst Fire Station event

Meet Joe Faubion,  our 2014 Red Cross Lubbock Chapter Volunteer of Year Award winner! Based on his tremendous work ethic and hungry desire to aid the Red Cross mission, Joe was without a doubt the top candidate for the award. From his first days with Red Cross Lubbock Joe has been a valuable asset to the team. Take a minute to read about  why Joe first joined the Red Cross as well as some of his favorite experiences in his time spent with with Red Cross Lubbock.

Q: What first got you interested in the Red Cross and when did you join?

A: "I was recruited by my wife back in 2011. We always had plans to spend our retirement volunteering, after a good experience with Habitat for Humanity in Dallas, I joined my wife in her duties with Red Cross Lubbock". 

Joe is married to Pamela Faubion, the Disaster Operations Director for Red Cross Lubbock, and they have spent their retirement years exactly as planned. As a Disaster volunteer, Joe has put in countless hours assisting his wife in their mission to respond to disasters promptly and successfully.Together, they are often Red Cross Lubbock's first responders on the scene of a disaster call.

Q: Why did you make the choice to put in so much time and become such a dedicated Red Cross Volunteer?

A: "Along with spending time with my wife and taking on some of her duties, the Red Cross really is on a incredible mission to do a lot of good". 

Disaster volunteers spend a lot of time out in the field. For Joe, this means helping respond to the ever present disaster calls that Red Cross Lubbock receives. In his work, Joe interacts with disaster victims first hand, distributing necessary supplies, making minor repairs, and seeing that the victims get whatever it is they truly need. Check out more details about exactly what Joe does as a Disaster Volunteer here: http://www.redcross.org/support/volunteer/disaster-volunteer

Q:As a Red Cross Volunteer, what is one of your favorite or most enjoyable part of the job?

A: "I like driving the ERV(Emergency Response Vehicle), and being out in the field".

Through his three years as a volunteer with the Red Cross Joe has always been involved and done great things for the community. He has responded to countless disasters, making him every bit deserving of this recognition. Joe will be receiving his award Thursday, June 26th, at our Red Cross Lubbock Annual Meeting & Volunteer Awards Ceremony.

Three Ways to Show Support on World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

We can’t think of a better way to spend your favorite holiday — World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day — than by supporting all the hard work our volunteers do.

In the past year, your donations helped the American Red Cross respond to about 70,000 disasters, 

provided more than 29,000 overnight stays, and provided more than 1.8 million meals and snacks.

1. When a family on your neighborhood is woken up in the middle of the night by a fire the American Red Cross will be there to help them. To do that, though, the Red Cross needs your help.

Your monetary donations help us provide warm meals, clothes and every day necessities that are lost in a fire. This means you are helping people in your community when they need it the most. It’s not time consuming and very easy, which is a great thing and you are able to offer support to someone who has lost everything.

In 2013, the Red Cross responded to 52,000 home fires across the U.S. and served 226,000 people in the process.

2. When a fire wreaks havoc on a home, the whole family is affected and the smallest victims, the children, may find comfort in something soft and cuddly to hold on to.

The Red Cross has just the thing. By adopting Piper the Puppy, you can comfort a child who has just experienced devastation by helping them to know you care and are there to help. By adopting Piper the Puppy for $100, not only can bring a smile to a child’s face, but your name is also written on the paw so they know who cares.

3. The best way to show your support, though, is by becoming a volunteer. Volunteering doesn’t always mean responding to disasters in the middle of the night. Volunteering can be anything from office work, writing blogs or organizing the warehouse.

Not only is volunteering a rewarding experience, but you are also helping people in your community. What is a better way to support your local Red Cross by helping in any way you can? Join our everyday heroes today!

Board Member, Volunteer says ‘Nobody else does what the Red Cross does’

Clarke Cochran poses with an American Red
Cross vehicle while on vacation in Spain.

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

When Clarke Cochran responded to his first disaster with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Action Team member, he didn’t know he would be helping someone he knew.

About three years ago, the Red Cross board member and volunteer said he didn’t realize it at the time, but when they pulled up to the house that had burned to the ground, it was his very good friend’s home.

“He was there, he was well-to-do, he was well insured,” Cochran said. “Everybody was OK, nobody was hurt, but he was just kind of in a daze and he was saying, ‘I can’t get a hold of my insurance company.’ The DAT captain pulled out his phone and said, ‘Here, I've got the numbers and the emergency response of all the insurance companies,’ dialed it for him, gave it to him and that was the lifeline he needed.”

When Cochran first joined the Red Cross team in 2008, he said he was one of the vice presidents of Covenant and hoping to help serve as a liaison between the two.

Not only does Cochran believe the Red Cross is a great organization, but he said it’s important for people to offer their community a helping hand.

“We depend on our community for all kinds of things whether we realize it or not and therefore, others depend on us,” Cochran said. “So, it’s give and take. Reciprocity. Mutual assistance. Nobody else does what the Red Cross does and we’re a volunteer led organization and therefore, if the Red Cross is not there, people can’t get from here to there. So, that’s why the Red Cross is important.”

During his time with the Red Cross, he said he has learned several things about disasters, small or large.

People, Cochran said, don’t know how to get through the first two or three days after the initial disaster because the path they were once on was changed and they suffer from shock.

“Nobody expects to lose their whole house, all their clothing, their checkbook, their debit card, you know, all the stuff we take for granted. The Red Cross is there after the fire is put out and sometimes while the fire is going on and helping them say, ‘OK, here’s the next few steps and we got you covered for the next couple of days until you can kind of pull together your resources and other community resources.’ So, it’s an essential bridge to getting your life back in order.”

You, too, can work with people like Clarke to be there for your neighbors, friends or fellow community members during times of disaster. To join the American Red Cross team, visit RedCross.org.

Volunteer Turned Board Member Stays Calm, Cool and Collected

Left to right: Gerry Grant, chair of the board, presents Miles
Hardaway with an award during the 2013 Presidential
Awards Ceremony.

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

Miles Hardaway is able to remain calm during highly stressful situations, which is why he said the American Red Cross is perfect for him.

“I have always been very good in disasters,” he said. “I have a cool mind in a disaster situation and I’ve known that about myself since I was a teenager. So when I decided to start giving back to my community, the Red Cross was a natural fit for my skill sets, or that skill set anyways.”

Hardaway serves on the board, but has been volunteering for about two years as a Disaster Action Team Captain.

The Disaster Action Team members respond immediately to a disaster when called by emergency dispatch. Specially trained DAT volunteers assess the scope of the damage and meet with the affected family or families to determine their immediate disaster-related needs and ensure that those needs are met.

“It’s a way of giving back to the community that you live in,” Hardaway said. “It is a big national organization, but the work that the Red Cross does is always at the local level and it requires local volunteers in order to perform the work of the Red Cross.”

Although he is able to stay calm in collected during stressful situations, he said there are a few things that are more difficult to handle than others.

“I guess the most emotional thing is when a client has lost a pet, then they really lose it,” Hardaway said. “I have four dogs at home and so I really do relate to them and I give my dogs a big hug and a lot of attention after something like that happens.”

While some are upset after the loss of a furry friend, the most common reaction is shock after a family loses their home to a fire, he said. Others may be inconsolable or be calm and take charge of the care of their family.

Volunteers will work with the head of the family to fill out paperwork, explaining the situation and determining which of their belongings are salvageable, Hardaway said.

“They don’t even know what to do when we arrive, or where to go, or what to do at all,” he said. “We give them some directions and we get them thinking about how to recover from this. At the beginning they’re in trauma — they’re not even thinking about it.”

No matter how stressful the situation may be, Hardaway said bringing peace to families during one of the most chaotic days of their lives is the best part of what he does.

To join Miles in helping people in your community, visit RedCross.org to learn what you can do to help.

Board Member, Volunteer Brant Daniel Says It’s All About Support

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

Board Member and Volunteer Brant Daniel said his work with the American Red Cross is all about offering support.

For the past three years, he has been a board member and served on the service delivery committee for the South Plains Regional Chapter.

“We’re there to support the staff, to fundraise, to make sure that financially and just to make sure everybody gets the support they need to carry out their functions,” Daniel said. “Staff-wise, as far as what they need to do to get volunteers, get volunteers plugged in. We’re there to support.”

Not only does he serve on the board, but he has helped respond to a few local disasters.

These experiences were an eye-opener for him, he said.

“You can’t even at that time put yourself in their position, but just to see that they just need to know that somebody’s there to guide them through, to know that they’ll have a place to stay, that they’ll have their basic needs taken care of,” Daniel said. “Just because they’re in a state of shock and to know that there is somebody there to help them through, and to oversee the next few hours and days as they try to get things put back together.”

Often times, he said the public is used to seeing the American Red Cross on TV responding to a large-scale disaster, and may overlook the disasters that occur right down the street.

“We kind of tend to overlook the little things that happen that might not seem like much here, but to the persons involved, I mean, it’s everything and just to know that there’s an organization here that can help see those people through the immediate times,” he said, “to help them get back on their feet and get the immediate needs and concerns taken care of and they’ve got somebody to walk them through that process.”

Not only does Daniel believe disaster response is rewarding, but knowing that he is a part of an organization that does so much to help people.

Whether it’s health and safety training or emergency preparedness, he is proud of what the Red Cross does.

“It’s just that same thing and even the assistance that military families are given, you’ve got the disaster services and just knowing there’s a place in the community that people can get health and safety training,” Daniel said. “Just all the way across the board is just something that is so vital to our community and being prepared as we enter tornado season. There’s preparedness, there’s health and safety, there’s what we do for connecting military families in their time of need, I just appreciate everything that is behind the Red Cross mission.”

He said he also appreciates the work the staff and volunteers put into making the chapter successful and still keep smiles on their faces.

After he was approached to join the board, he said he realized how important it was to take care of local Red Cross chapters, too.

“It’s just the feeling you get knowing that if something happens in the middle of the night anywhere in our 13 county region,” Daniel said, “and I know the same goes on across the country, that there will be somebody there to fulfill that mission of making sure that somebody’s needs are being met.”

This National Volunteer Week, we salute people like Brant, who work hard to offer support to the American Red Cross’ mission. To join Brant and learn about volunteer opportunities, visit redcross.org to start your Red Cross story today. 

Judy Pevytoe Volunteers For the People She Helps

By Kassidy Ketron

Intern

Being part of the American Red Cross isn’t just a place for volunteer, Judy Pevytoe, to help people in a disaster. It gives her a purpose.

“I love the mission of the Red Cross,” the volunteer services events team coordinator said. “I love what it stands for and I love helping people. It makes me feel like I have purpose.”

Pevytoe has volunteered with the South Plains Regional chapter for about a year and a half, with about 4,000 volunteer hours under her belt.

She first learned about the Red Cross when we was out shopping.

“I was bored and wanted something to do,” Pevytoe said. “I happened to be out at the mall and Molly (Mabery, former volunteer specialist) had a table out there and I was talking to her and she made the Red Cross sound interesting.”

After she had a stroke in 2004, Pevytoe was spending time at home because she was disabled.

Despite her medical problems, she volunteers anywhere from 50 to 60 hours per week.

“We’ve had high school kids up here volunteering,” Pevytoe said, “all the way up to, the oldest couple I know that are volunteers are in their 70s. And then of course, like me, I’m disabled and I work up here, of course, healthy can, too.”

Last year, she was awarded the Golden Presidential Award and Rookie of the Year.

Anyone that is interested in volunteering, Pevytoe said can do anything from office work, service to the armed forces, teach CPR classes to disaster response.

“(I like Red Cross) because it is a good organization and without volunteers we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” she said.

During her year and a half with the American Red Cross, Pevytoe said the disasters that stick out most to her are apartment fires.

“They’re so massive,” she said. “You know, when we have an apartment fire, we call everybody in and everybody just jumps in and does what needs to be done.”

Pevytoe said the most rewarding thing about volunteering is the gratitude victims of a disaster have.

“Most of the time you can see a relief and they’re real grateful that we’re there to help them with whatever we can help them with,” she said. “That look and to know that you’ve helped them (makes it worth it) and a lot of times you get a hug out of it.”

To join the American Red Cross South Plains Regional Chapter, visit redcross.org/volunteer and see how you can help.

Strikes, Spares and Super Heroes kicks of 2014 Heroes Campaign

By Kassidy Ketron
Intern

On Friday, the American Red Cross South Plains Regional chapter received great support from members of the community at Strikes, Spares and Super Heroes: Red Cross Bowling for Relief.

Almost 100 people of all ages joined in support for the Red Cross to help kick off the 2014 Heroes Campaign and raised more than $1,000.

One group that was very active in not only support, but having a good time was Delta Sigma Phi, a fraternity at Texas Tech.

Not only did they have fun, but one of their members, Beau Gold, was the winner of  the American Red Cross’ bowling tournament trophy.

Beau Gould

Delta Sigma Phi vice president, Aric Denton, said he enjoyed spending time with his fraternity brothers and having fun for a good cause.

“We are getting some community service hours,” he said, “helping out the community and it’s been a really fun event and all my brothers are here having a great time too.”

Tiffany Downing, major gifts associate for the South Plains Regional Chapter, said she enjoyed seeing how much fun everyone was having and helping their community at the same time.

“It’s so great to see people enthusiastic about helping members of their community who are the ones that will really benefit from this great event,” she said. “We’ve had an awesome turnout and the smiles on everyone’s faces make it that much more rewarding.”

Strikes Spares and Super Heroes: Red Cross Bowling for Relief, which kicked off the 2014 Heroes Campaign, began the initiative to raise $30,000 for the South Plains.

Proceeds, Downing said, will help families in the area affected by disaster when they need support the most.

“This campaign is to help the American Red Cross continue to offer support to that family that wakes up in the middle of the night to a house fire and has lost everything,” she said. “With these donations we are able to provide them with necessities like clothing, toothbrushes and even a warm meal.”

Amber McCloud

Amber McCloud brought family and friends to the event for a fun evening of bowling and games at Main Event.

McCloud serves on the board for the South Plains Regional Chapter and said she’s always happy to help the American Red Cross’ vision, which is to prevent and alleviate suffering the face of disaster through the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

“The whole family is here and we brought some friends, too,” she said. “Knowing that we’re helping people that may live next door or down the street from us is the best part of the event and the Heroes Campaign.”

Downing said not only were people quick to join in on the fun, but some even signed up to volunteer with the American Red Cross and donated to the organization.

“We are so lucky to live in such a great community and be part of such an awesome organization like the American Red Cross,” she said. “None of this would be possible without our volunteers and the people here at Main Event that having a blast with their families and friends, and helping out their community.”

Anyone from individuals, churches and businesses can donate to the Heroes Campaign. To find out more visit our website.

Four Easy Ways You Can Be Humble on Be Humble Day

By Kassidy Ketron
Intern

In Honor of Be Humble Day that was on Saturday, we would like to show you a few easy ways you can be humble and give back to your community.

1. When a family on your neighborhood is woken up in the middle of the night by a fire the American 

Red Cross will be there to help them. To do that, though, the Red Cross needs your help.

Your monetary donations help us provide warm meals, clothes and every day necessities that are lost in a fire. This means you are helping people in your community when they need it the most. It’s not time consuming and very easy, which is a great thing and you are able to offer support to someone who has lost everything.

2. When a fire wreaks havoc on a home, the whole family is affected and the smallest victims, the children, may find comfort in something soft and cuddly to hold on to.

The American Red Cross has just the thing. By adopting Piper the Puppy, you can comfort a child who has just experienced devastation by helping them to know you care and are there to help. By adopting Piper the Puppy for $100, not only can bring a smile to a child’s face, but your name is also written on the paw so they know who cares.

3. Donating blood also is another great way to help people not only in your community, but across the country, as well. Up to one pint of blood can save three lives and what better gift than the gift of life? Donating blood is quick and a wonderful way to offer your support.

4. If you are interested in getting more involved with the American Red Cross, another great way to celebrate Be Humble Day is by signing up to participate in the South Plains Regional Chapter’s Strikes, Spares and Super Heroes: Red Cross Heroes Bowling for Relief event. It’s a great way to help provide support to those who could be affected by disaster at any moment. Your participation in this event will help provide those warm meals and necessities to someone who could be just down the street or across town.

Disaster are almost always unexpected, but with your donation, Piper the Puppy adoption, or blood donation, you can help the American Red Cross be as prepared as possible for when tragedy strikes.

Volunteer has lifetime full of service

By Kassidy Ketron

Public Relations Intern

Dwain Cox has been helping and providing assistance for people in his community for more than 40 years.

Transitioning from a 38-year career with the Texas Department of Public Safety to a volunteer with the South Plains Regional chapter of the American Red Cross allowed Cox to continue doing what he loves — helping people.

Dwain Cox, an American Red Cross volunteer, poses for a photo with Gerry Grant, board chairman of the South Plains Regional chapter, at the Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony in July.

“For the last year,” he said, “I’ve been doing the volunteer logistics coordinator for the Lubbock area and as that I’m responsible for taking care of the vehicles, we have four motor vehicles and two trailers, and also supplies. If we have to set up a shelter, well I’m responsible for setting it up and keeping it supplied while it’s open. Then I take it down, sanitize the cots, anything that we might have used in it and then restock anything that we used during the operation.”

Cox first came in contact with American Red Cross when he was chairman of the State Disaster District Committee in Tarrant County.

“The Red Cross had a representative on the committee and I was very impressed with their capabilities,” he said. “So, that was one reason I looked at them after [I retired and] I did decide to start doing some volunteer work.”

During his six, almost seven, years as a volunteer, Cox said the help he has provided has been more than rewarding.

Without volunteers, he said the American Red Cross would not be able to deliver the services they provide now, which is why he believes it is important for people to get involved.

“Being able to provide some assistance when a person needs it most,” Cox said, “I think is one of the most important things we do. You go out to a fire scene and you see the family standing there in shock — watching their house and all their belongings burn to the ground — and you’re able to give them a place to stay that night and for a few nights after that. You’re able to give them some funding to help them buy food and clothing, and you feel like you’re really helping someone out.”

Aside from the late night phone calls a volunteer will take to respond to a disaster, he said there is a particular disaster that sticks out in his mind.

In April of 2012, a series of tornadoes hit the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, destroying homes and displacing families. Cox was just one of many, many volunteers to respond to the disaster.

American Red Cross DFW

“Seeing all the damage that was done… We were in there the morning after, it had happened that night, so we were there very quickly,” Cox said. “People were still in shock and we were driving through the area, and talking to people to find out the people that were handicapped, who were maybe still in their houses and seeing what they needed and getting what help we could. That was probably one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had.”

Although Cox has responded to his fair share of disasters, he said the hand shakes and hugs from those who the American Red Cross is able to help is even more rewarding.

“I’ve run across people at other disaster scenes sometimes,” he said. They’ll tell me that I had responded to their disaster maybe a year or two before that, and that they really appreciated what the Red Cross had been able to do for them.”

Cox encourages people of all ages, including retirees like himself, to join the American Red Cross and continue offering help to people when they need it most.

“If we didn’t have the volunteers,” he said, “we couldn’t deliver the services that we do.”

To begin volunteering today, check out Red Cross in Lubbock and surrounding areas, or find out what classes are available.