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A Century of Service
Erin Monahan
Tuesday, October 05, 2004 — Between them, Dottie and George Kotuby of Bailey Island, Maine, have volunteered for the American Red Cross for 100 years.
At a reception in their honor at the Mid Coast Chapter's new building in Topsham, Board Chair George I.
Baldwin presented Clara Barton and Exceptional Volunteer Service awards and a certificate of appreciation to them.
Dottie's Red Cross service pre-dates her husband's by about 20 years. It began in 1944 in Rahway, New Jersey,
where she served as a Red Cross nurse's aide during World War II. Her service in New Jersey continued through
the Korean War-at Camp Kilmer and then in New Brunswick. Dottie served on the Rahway Chapter Board, organized
the local blood program, served as Chair of the nurse's aide and staff programs, and, for a short time, was the
Rahway Chapter Executive Director.
George began volunteering with the American Red Cross when Dottie asked him to accompany her to events as the photographer.
Dottie's passion for the American Red Cross was contagious. According to George, "Before I knew it, she had me hooked;
I was a full-fledged American Red Cross volunteer."
In May of 1986, the Kotubys moved, taking their volunteer spirit with them to Maine and the Mid Coast Chapter.
George filled a position on the Mid Coast Chapter Board of Directors while Dottie worked with the Health and
Safety program. Together they continue to assist on a weekly basis, processing health and safety records.
"Dottie and George are an inspiration to all of us here at the Mid Coast Chapter," said Executive Director
Beth Powers, "and also to young volunteers who are just starting their first fifty years!"
Thanks to the efforts of the Kotubys and more than a million other Red Cross Volunteers and four million
blood donors across the United States, our communities can proactively prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters.
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