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Red Cross Rolls out the Red Carpet
Written by
Bonnie Gillespie
, Staff Writer and Photographer, RedCross.org
Friday, March 26, 2004 — Hollywood’s not the only place where the red carpet is rolled out for the stars. At Red Cross national headquarters yesterday, “superstar” staff members received the royal treatment at the annual Volunteer and Employee Recognition Ceremony. Flanked by “paparazzi” flashing cameras, Red Cross staff strolled into the Oscar-like event to the sounds of show tunes and celebration.
A crowd gathers in the atrium of Red Cross national headquarters following the awards ceremony. |
Hundreds of employees, volunteers and Red Cross leaders packed the auditorium to recognize the esteemed recipients of the Spirit of Excellence Awards, the Tiffany Awards, the Clara Barton Award and many others.
“You are the first link in the chain of survival that stretches from people who need help to people who want to help,” Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans told the national sector staff and volunteers gathered for the occasion. “That makes you lifesavers. And this year, you’ve shown your mettle by performing with great dedication in the face of tremendous challenge.”
Compared by Evans to an Oscar-winning movie production staff, more than thirty national employees were recognized with Spirit of Excellence Awards in the areas of Support, Professional/Technical and Management for their outstanding “behind the scenes” efforts at Red Cross headquarters, work that impacts the organization both nationwide and internationally.
“Every human body needs a heart to pump its blood, and in a very real sense, you are the heart of the Red Cross body,” Evans said. “Without you, the critical concept of ‘One Red Cross’ would be impossible.”
In addition to staff honorees, volunteers from throughout the country and the organization were singled out for their devoted service. The Armed Forces Emergency Service Award, Cynthia Wedel Award for volunteerism and Ann Magnussen Award for nursing were among the special tributes given to the dedicated volunteers performing in a variety of capacities.
DeKuyper and Evans honor award winner Betsy Lundquist during the festivities.
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“These volunteers are mentors, project designers and leaders in every sense of the word, and you can be sure of the fact that they have made significant and long-term contributions to the American Red Cross,” said Mary DeKuyper, the National Chair of Volunteers.
“Heart and muscle is my shorthand to describe the contributions of more than one million Red Cross volunteers,” she added. “More than 200,000 Americans serve as health and safety volunteers, and nearly that many volunteer in biomedical services and in disaster.”
Along with winners from within the Red Cross, the red carpet was rolled out to special friends of the organization, like Good Neighbor Award recipient State Farm Insurance. Commemorating more than 50 years of partnership, State Farm was recognized for its ongoing support and contributions to the Red Cross at the local and national level.
The ceremony drew to a close with the clink of sparkling cider-filled champagne glasses, and the red carpet will be rolled up for another year, but the unyielding efforts of Red Cross staff and volunteers continues faithfully day after day, even without the fanfare.
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