Meet Trish Tindall!

In our fourth National Volunteer Week profile, we're proud to introduce Trish Tindall, a volunteer with our Shelby County Service Center. Interview conducted by Anna Rosales, Americorps Member.

What do you do for the Red Cross?

I’m a volunteer, and I work with Angela and several others on fundraising for Shelby and Henry Counties. I put on the fishing tournament each year in Taylorsville to raise funds for anything that goes on in Shelby and Henry counties. I already have the 2010 tournament scheduled for September 25, and have phone calls from people wanting to participate. I’m hoping the tournament will be a lot bigger this year.

This past year I was also nominated to the board which I felt was a real honor.

What is the most interesting aspect of your job duties with the Red Cross?

Just being involved in the community, and letting people know what the Red Cross stands for. Red Cross is something everybody needs to get involved in to support the community. I have a 4-year-old grandson, and he loves going to Red Cross events.

What do you do when you aren’t volunteering for the Red Cross?

I work at American Founders Bank in Shelbyville, and I am co-owner of Todd’s Auto Repair. When I’m not at the bank, I’m at the shop. That’s where all the Red Cross flyers go up. A lot of guys that fish come in, and I’m always passing out information.

From May to the first of November, I’m at the campground nearly every weekend. At Cummins Ferry I help out with activities. We’re having a kid’s activity day with the fire department, National Guard and Sheriff’s Department. I’m also trying to get someone to take the kids on a nature walk.

What does it mean to you to be a Red Cross volunteer?

It gives me great pleasure being able to help the community, and being able to help others. I think Angela and Vicki are doing a great job in Shelby and Henry counties. The volunteers of Shelby and Henry counties are fantastic!

Why did you decide to volunteer for the Red Cross, and how long have you been a volunteer?

I started volunteering in 2008. I had a blood transfusion, and I know how important it is to give blood. When I was 21 years old, I was in a bad car wreck and needed blood; if it hadn’t been for the American Red Cross, I might not be here.

How has this experience changed your life?

It makes me appreciate things more—to know that there are people out there that care.

What has been the most memorable thing you have seen working with the Red Cross?

I would have to say the smiles on kids’ faces when they know that somebody cares. Working at the fairs and being at the parades. The kids love it. I love watching kids come up to our Red Cross mascot, Scrubby Bear, and ask “Can we have our picture taken?”

Thanks Trish, we're lucky to have you as a volunteer! To see some photos of our Shelby/Henry County team in action (and Scrubby Bear!), visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/louisvilleredcross. To join them as a volunteer, contact Angela Disch at (502) 633-2486.

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

In honor of Administrative Professionals Day, we've decided to profile one of our administrative volunteers that works tirelessly behind the scenes to help us meet the needs of our community. Meet Joan Holzknecht! This interview was conducted by Shelby Fill, Volunteer Specialist for the Louisville Area Chapter/River Valley Blood Region.

Tell me what you do for the Red Cross.

I spend one day a week at the Red Cross downtown office. In the morning, I volunteer in Blood Services doing administrative work and then I spend the afternoon in Armed Forces Emergency Services making follow up calls to families to ensure they have had a successful call back from their deployed loved one. Additionally, I try to volunteer at one blood mobile a month and like to volunteer at the Holiday Heroes special event blood drives.

Why did you decide to volunteer for the Red Cross, and how long have you been a volunteer?

I have been a Red Cross volunteer for about 6 months now. I wanted to become a volunteer here because there were many different opportunities within the organization, so I knew I would be able to find volunteer jobs that would interest me and help the community.

What is the most interesting aspect of your job duties with the Red Cross?

The most interesting thing is learning about the workings of military communications and the circumstances revolving around family communications. Both military personnel and their families are extremely brave. Also, our Armed Forces Emergency Services call center takes calls not only from families here in the area, but almost 200 locations throughout the nation.

What does it mean to you to be a Red Cross volunteer?

It gives me a sense of belonging to something that is well respected and vital to the community. I am proud to volunteer for an organization that is doing so much for people locally, nationally, and throughout the world. Volunteering has made me more compassionate and outgoing, and I also enjoy the sense of community and camaraderie between the staff and other volunteers.

Why do you volunteer?

I believe it is the right thing to do. Since high school, I have tried to volunteer at various locations to try and serve others. I had teachers and family members instill in me the importance of volunteering.

What do you do when you aren’t volunteering for the Red Cross?

I am an Every1 Reads tutor at Jeffersontown Elementary; sing in my church choir (shout out to the alto section!); and have started to sew funeral pall cloths to be used at indigent burials. I like to spend a lot of time with my family, especially my grandchildren.

Thanks Joan; we're lucky to have you as a volunteer! Would you like to help the Red Cross stay organized? Check out our Administrative Assistant volunteer opportunity at http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp317471.jsp!

Meet Mark Kovatch!

In our second National Volunteer week profile, we're proud to interview Mark Kovatch, a volunteer for the Louisville Area Chapter. This interview conducted by Shannon Burnett, a Crossing Generations and Red Cross Social Media Team member.

What do you do for the Red Cross?

I’ve been a volunteer for the Red Cross for approximately six years, beginning as a Board Member and, more recently, as a volunteer for special projects. I’m able to bring my over 30 years of corporate business experience to the table, and am currently assisting Keith Alvey, Chapter CEO, by providing support on various business projects at the chapter.

I also have a special passion for the AFES (Armed Forces Emergency Services) program and donate my time to that endeavor. I’ve never forgotten my experience of being assisted by the Red Cross AFES program. I felt this program was too well kept a secret, and decided to volunteer in support of it. I’ve worked with Joann Risky, who directs the program.

Is there something that you think would surprise people about your job? A “Wow” or “Gee-Whiz” factor?

Few people know that the Louisville call center is one of the largest call centers in the United States!

What does it mean to you to be a Red Cross volunteer?

I’m attracted to volunteer for the Red Cross because of its “purity of mission.” I enjoy being part of an organization that provides such valuable services to the community. Everyone cheers you on, because they know you are at work to make things better.

What has been the most memorable thing you have seen working with the Red Cross?

My most memorable event is a very personal one. When I was a 19 year old on active duty with the Navy, I received the difficult news that my father had suddenly passed away. The Red Cross’s AFES program stepped up to enable me to navigate the red tape and allow me to return home to deal with my father’s passing. They made it effortless, and I think it’s a valuable service to military servicemen and their families.

Thank you Mark, we're lucky to have you as a volunteer! If you're interested in becoming a Red Cross Hero like Mark, contact our Volunteer Office at 561-3770 or a Red Cross office near you.

Red Cross Volunteer Profile- First in a Series!

Hello all! Welcome to our first in a series of Red Cross volunteer profiles during National Volunteer Week (and beyond!). Today we'd like to introduce Tamara Langley, a volunteer at our Ft. Knox office.

What do you do for the Red Cross?

I am the Director of the Helping Hands program at Ft. Knox. Helping Hands is a program for military members and their dependents; we give out baby formula, clothing, household items. In March 2010, we had 111 visits in total, thirty families visited for food. So far in April, we’ve had 60 visits for food.

Why did you decide to volunteer for the Red Cross, and how long you have been a volunteer?

I joined the Red Cross four months ago, and joined because I was bored and was looking for something to do! I moved here from Lakeville, MN, but didn’t have time to volunteer for the Red Cross there.

What is the most interesting aspect of your job duties with the Red Cross?

Meeting a wide variety of people, and I’ve only been on post for a few months, and I’m already helping with a five day a week volunteer position! I just love it though, and would love to volunteer more!

What does it mean to you to be a Red Cross volunteer?

I think being a Red Cross volunteer is the most rewarding thing you can do. I love it. It means that you’re a really selfless person, and you get to help people.

What do you do when you aren’t volunteering for the Red Cross?

I work a part-time job at Coldwell Banker, and I also volunteer as a part of the military Family Readiness Group (FRG), which calls to check on families, connect them to civic resources, and communicate announcements from the commander. My husband is not very high-ranking, so folks are surprised that I have so much time to volunteer!

Thank you Tamara; we're lucky to have you as a volunteer! If you're interested in devoting time to our Helping Hands program or volunteering through our Ft. Knox office, call May Giulitto at (502) 624-2163.

Happy National Volunteer Week!

National Volunteer Week is a special time at the Red Cross. Across the country over 95% of all Red Cross staff members are volunteers. If you are a volunteer, thank you. If you support or work with volunteers, thank you.

In 2009 our Louisville Area Chapter volunteers dedicated over 105,000 hours of service responding to and preparing for disasters, helping military families communicate with loved ones, teaching life-saving health and safety classes, and supporting our blood donation efforts.

Every year the Independent Sector sets a value of a volunteer hour. In 2009, that number was $20.85. So, in 2009, our volunteers donated time worth almost $2.2 million to the Louisville Area Chapter and the communities we serve.

Volunteerism is more than about numbers. It’s about the stories of service that echo throughout Kentuckiana, the United States, and the world. This week, we’ve asked a few volunteers to share their story. Check back here every day to see profiles of some of our amazing volunteers!

Do you want to start your own volunteer story? We have numerous volunteer opportunities available all across Kentuckiana, and offices in Louisville, E-Town, Ft. Knox, Shepherdsville, Shelbyville, Buckner, and Georgetown, IN. In 2009, we had almost 300 new people join our volunteer program, and are ALWAYS looking for more!

If you know someone who is interested in volunteering, have them call (502) 561-3770 or visit our website at http://www.louisville-redcross.org to find the office closest to them.