As a token of appreciation, current AmeriCorps members Kathrine Vigil and Susan DeWitt presented hand-etched glasses to past Red Cross AmeriCorps members. The glass was etched with the AmeriCorps logo.

As you may, or may not, know AmeriCorps week is this week and being one of the current AmeriCorps members, we decided to honor those previous members who lit the path through Red Cross’ door by giving them a little gift. AmeriCorps members have served nearly 3,300 nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations since 1994 when the program began, including the American Red Cross. A few of the past AmeriCorps members- who served their hours right here at the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter- have now become full time Red Cross staff which is a great accomplishment, and very encouraging for those of us who are still acting members.

It is interesting to see how different people are yet how they all strive to achieve the same goal. This is what most intrigued me about AmeriCorps. I have been serving in the Emergency Services department of the American Red Cross for nearly 10 months now, and I have seen more, and helped more people in the 10 months than I have in my entire life. The feeling of helping people day after day is one that I would not have thought possible. Through AmeriCorps I have found a group of people within the American Red Cross who (I am happy to say are mostly volunteers) are dedicated to helping others in either their time of need, or preparing them for the future possibilities.

And this is one of the reasons we thank those who came before us. Their actions allow us to follow in their footsteps and help so many more people to come.

Kathrine

Kathrine Vigil is the AmeriCorps NPRC Response Member for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.