National Volunteer Week - Sara Shelton

Crossing Generations members Ainsley Jones and Sara Shelton promote the Wrapped in Red Gala & Red Lounge.

Sara Shelton joined the Red Cross in 2009 as a member of our Crossing Generations Society. Sara is a young professional and works for Triangle Talent as a Senior Producer. She travels frequently, primarily to state fairs and music festivals, to promote concerts and work with bands directly.

Sara’s impact has included assisting with the development and planning of our Wrapped in Red Gala, chairing the Red Lounge committee, setting up blood donation opportunities and CPR/First Aid trainings for young professionals, and more. She is currently the Chair of our Crossing Generations group and was previously the Director of Recruitment and Retention. During the March 2012 tornado relief efforts, she recruited other young professionals to help cover telethons, benefit concerts and other fundraising opportunities. She shadowed a Red Cross response vehicle the day after the storms. Finally, she believes in what she asks others to do—she is a blood donor, financial donor and is trained in CPR/First Aid.

To register to become a Red Cross volunteer and to see Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your area, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

Why I Volunteer - KrisTina Berry

KrisTina Berry. Photo by Staci Marie Photography.

In November of 2011, KrisTina Berry found herself performing the same activity many other Americans are spending their time on today—job searching. Not one to wait around for a call back, KrisTina decided her newfound free time would be better spent volunteering for a cause she believes in.

The Make a Wish Foundation, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society are just a few non-profit organizations that were on KrisTina’s list, but she wanted to find a place that offered a chance to be hands-on.  In January, she attended her first Crossing Generations meeting at the Louisville Area Chapter.

She jumped in head first volunteering at blood drives, helping with plans for the 2012 Wrapped in Red Gala and signing up for disaster training. Less than two months into her service with the Red Cross, KrisTina got her first opportunity to volunteer on a disaster relief operation when tornadoes came through Southern Indiana and Eastern Kentucky.

During the March 2 storms, KrisTina sought shelter in her basement with her two cats. The worst was expected to hit Louisville, but instead veered north of the city.

“I’m still in awe,” said KrisTina. “It could have easily been Louisville that was destroyed.”

Knowing that she couldn’t sit by as her neighbors tried to rebuild, KrisTina immediately called the Red Cross to see how she could help. She spent the following weeks preparing food that Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) then delivered to affected areas in Southern Indiana. She worked long days arriving at the chapter at 7 a.m. and leaving at 10 p.m.

“I was in that kitchen making turkey after turkey after ham sandwich,” KrisTina said recalling that the ERVs would leave full of food and return completely empty. “I had my hands on those sandwiches that went to helping people out. They don’t even know who I am, but you know they’re grateful.”

KrisTina had only completed basic volunteer orientation and training prior to the March tornadoes, so she signed up for every disaster relief course she could as soon as she got the chance. Even with two jobs, she continues to be an active member of Crossing Generations and volunteer as much as possible. Just this past weekend, she helped coordinate Red Cross volunteers for a sag stop at the Old Kentucky Home Bicycle Tour.

“When I walk out of Crossing Generations meetings, I feel like we’ve done something,” KrisTina said. “That drives and keeps me motivated. I will volunteer as long as I can.”

For more information on Crossing Generations, visit www.redcross.org/Louisville.

Volunteer Gets Wrapped in Red - Erin Hall

The revival of an annual Red Cross gala in 2011 gave the Louisville Area Chapter an opportunity to involve volunteers in new activities. Both new and veteran volunteers worked together to make the inaugural Wrapped in Red Gala a memorable event to raise funds for Red Cross community disaster programs.

Erin at the 2012 Gala

After a six year hiatus, the Louisville Area Chapter gala returned to the Derby City. Renamed the “Wrapped in Red Gala,” the event’s planning committee was determined to make it bigger and better than its predecessor – “The Gatsby Gala.”

“It was a great opportunity to make a statement and get the gala off on the right foot,” said Erin Hall, Chair of the Gala’s Design & Décor committee.

Erin and her team made the look and layout defining elements of the inaugural Wrapped in Red Gala, creating an ocean of red to welcome guests as they entered the ballroom of the Louisville Marriott Downtown. Red fabric draped every table, chair and corner and glowing candlelight created a cozy setting among the tables.

The 2011 Wrapped in Red Gala

“We really tried to convey, through the gala, the warmth the Red Cross provides to the community,” she said.

Receiving rave reviews from guests and Louisville’s social enthusiast Angie Fenton of the Voice-Tribune, Erin agreed to lead the Design & Décor committee for a second term. Expectations were high following a successful first year, but Erin and her team rose to the occasion, adding new, unique touches to create a new look and experience.

The Chivari chairs and centerpieces added a bit of silver to this year's Gala. Guests of the Red Lounge were invited to participate in extra fun at the Magnolia Photo Booth.

Erin has become a regular volunteer at the Louisville Area Chapter. She joined the young professionals group Crossing Generations in March of 2011. Through the group, she has helped with fundraising events such as Louisville Uncorked and the Old Kentucky Home Tour Sag Stop operated by Red Cross workers. In October, Erin received a Volunteer Rookie award at the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.

During the March tornado response, she helped with local telethons. In the future, she hopes to become more involved with disaster response. Erin has also become a regular blood donor, something she said she would not have done before becoming a Red Cross volunteer.

“The more you learn about the Red Cross, the more ways you see how to get involved,” she said. “You can make a difference as an individual, a couple of hours at a time.”

Erin plans to continue to volunteer with the Red Cross because she sees a need in the community and enjoys working with the Red Cross staff.

“Once you step foot in the building and understand the impact Red Cross has on the community, it’s hard to walk away."