The Jefferson County Red Cross has helped 39 families during the past 12 months with emergency food, clothing, shelter and financial assistance. The organization could not provide those services without the volunteers who donate thousands of hours a year to help others in need.

The Red Cross recently honored its most dedicated Jefferson County volunteers at a luncheon in High Ridge. Because there are so many dedicated volunteers, there were plenty of eligible people to recognize with awards.

“We had more nominations this year for volunteer of the year than the past five years,” Jefferson County Red Cross supervisor Omar Ruizsaid.

The winner this year, Brittany Shumacher of Barnhart, is someone other volunteers describe as dependable, helpful, creative and knowledgeable. Schumacher, who works as a paramedic when she’s not volunteering, has been with the Jefferson County Red Cross for two years.

“I see a lot of people in need, and this gives me an opportunity to do things I wouldn’t be able to do in my professional job,” she said. “The biggest reward is sitting down with them and letting them know they are going to be OK.”

Shumacher likes to sit down with clients and hear their stories before she sets her mind to finding them food, clothing and temporary shelter.

“We’re constantly following up with them,” she said. “Rental assistance, furniture, finding a school - just helping them get back to normal.”

Other volunteers were recognized for different kinds of service, such as administrative work or teaching classes. In the past year, volunteers have taught 128 community disaster courses to more than 5,000 children and trained more than 1,000 people in CPR and first aid.

Barbara Girshner of south St. Louis County, Teena Kilo of Festus, Melinda Mudrovic of High Ridge, Kim Pack of Festus, Tom Richardson of Richwoods, Dan Staufenbiel of south St. Louis County, and Gerald Stevens, Arnold, were recognized for their efforts.

Pack, who has been volunteering since 2004, said she got started just to have something to do during the summer. Now she teaches computer software to other volunteers and helps run the office. She also contributes in another way-she’s getting her 16-month-old daughter, Emma Pack, prepared for a life as a volunteer.

Ruiz said volunteers have donated 3,924 hours in the past 12 months. If those had been paid hours, it would have cost the organization more than $70,000.

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