 American Red Cross Honors Scott Air Force Base
Volunteers at Luncheon Event
Service Center shows appreciation to volunteers for their community outreach
The American Red Cross Scott Air Force Base Service Center honored its volunteers and community partners today during a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon held at Scott Air Force Base. During the event, the Red Cross highlighted community outreach efforts made possible by outstanding volunteer support. From July 2007 through the current year, the Scott Air Force Base Service Center touched the local military community in the following ways:
- Assisted 90 families with Emergency Communication to loved ones deployed overseas
- Presented monthly Service to the Armed Forces briefings for the First Term Airman Center, New Base Residents and Town Hall meetings, Hearts Apart Group and deployed members of Scott Air Force Base
- Attendance at these briefings ranged anywhere from 5 to 500 people depending on the group
- Provided Community Disaster Education courses to 1,120 school-age children and their families
- Provided 45 Health and Safety training courses
- Recruited and trained 60 adult volunteers and 52 students
- Provided volunteer staff for dental clinic program sponsored by Scott Air Force Base
- Staffed 12 blood drives with local volunteers, collecting 550 units of blood
“Whether it’s helping a family recover from a house fire or tornado disaster, teaching CPR and First Aid so people can save lives, or helping blood donors feel comfortable, our volunteers enable the American Red Cross to carry out its humanitarian mission of helping others,” said Stephanie Pitt, Station Specialist of the Scott Air Force Base Service Center.
Lt. Col. Stephen Green served as the luncheon emcee. Col. Diane Ritter, Commander of the 375th Medical Group, Mary Jo Blackwood, a Board member of the St. Louis Area Chapter Board of Directors, and Nancy Bates, Executive Officer of Emergency Services for the St. Louis Area Chapter, were featured speakers for the program. Col. Ritter and Mary Rosen, Director of Volunteer Resources of the St. Louis Area Chapter, were the award presenters. Chaplain Jose Monuz gave the Invocation. The colors were posted by the USTRANSCOM Joint Color Guard.
About the Award Recipients:
- The Partners in Caring Award is presented in recognition of extraordinary cooperative working relationships. This award is given to a volunteer who, in partnership with the American Red Cross and the 375th Dental Squadron, has made a profound impact in the Dental Program.
Christina Jozwiak, of O’Fallon, Ill., provides chair-side dental assisting duties for multiple dental officers in both the General Dentistry and Oral Surgery departments as part of the 375th Dental Program. She contributes to providing care for 6,200 Active Duty Air Force military personnel as well as 30,000 other beneficiaries. In addition to greeting, seating and draping patients, Christina performs the following tasks: processes and mounts dental radiographic films; retrieves and files dental records; schedules appointments; and makes appropriate entries on patient treatment forms.
- The Blood Services Award is presented to a volunteer who exemplifies a commitment to strengthen or improve the Missouri/Illinois Blood Service Program and our local blood supply through his/her dedicated efforts.
Teri Beswetherick, a Scott Air Force Base resident, is a sergeant in the Air Force and has been a Red Cross volunteer since August 2007. She volunteers to help with the monthly blood donation drives on the Base and often stays the entire time. Teri assists in preparing, distributing and setting up equipment prior to each event. As a blood donor herself, she makes sure the blood donors are comfortable and get their refreshments before they leave. In addition, Teri has contributed to the successful collection of over 550 useable units of blood.
- The Health and Safety Award is presented to a volunteer who prepares others to save a life through CPR, First Aid and AED instruction.
Patricia Zimmerman, of Belleville, Ill., has been volunteering for over 28 years as a Red Cross Health and Safety Instructor. She gives up her weekends, often at the last minute, to teach a class or co-teach with a new instructor to make them more comfortable in a classroom setting. The Service Center has received numerous calls from parents after a class, expressing their gratitude to Patricia for making it a fun and informative experience for their children and giving her high praises as an instructor. Currently a full-time student at Southwestern Illinois College, Patricia is pursuing her Master’s degree in Elementary Education.
- The Honorary Service Award is presented to volunteers in recognition of their continued outstanding commitment, performance and impact. Each day, these volunteers go above and beyond the call of duty in their assigned service areas. They personify the best attributes of a Red Cross volunteer and we are very proud to have them serving at Scott Air Force Base.
Sandra Colbert, of Swansea, Ill., has been volunteering for the Red Cross since July 2003. She is responsible for fielding telephone calls from the base locator and individuals into the hospital. Sandra routes each of them accordingly and answers general information questions about the hospital and base services. She’s known for her ability to provide patients with calm reassurance.
Bettina Huston, of Belleville, Ill., has been a Red Cross volunteer since 1996. She also serves as the Hospital Chairperson for the Scott Air Force Base Service Center where she tracks over 65 medical clinic/dental volunteers and coordinates activities with 15 supervisors throughout the facility. The volunteer program runs smoothly due to Bettina’s strong leadership skills and dedicated service to the Red Cross. Additionally, Bettina holds the record for the most hours worked in any given year since 1997, volunteering more than 1500 hours in one year.
Bill Keeler, of Collinsville, Ill., has served in several positions over the past 17 years, including the Hospital Chair, pharmacy, Coumadin Clinic and the orthopedic clinic. He’s also been a Red Cross volunteer since 1991. Bill currently volunteers his time at the Medical Facility and answers telephone calls from base locator and individuals in the clinical area. He provides people with appropriate directions to various departments within the clinic.
- The New Outstanding Volunteer Award is presented to a volunteer who has been with the Red Cross for less than one year and has strengthened and improved services.
Tammy Bailey, of Mascoutah, Ill., began volunteering with the Red Cross in the base Library in August 2007. She completes all tasks with fun and enthusiasm, making the Library a popular spot for the youth in our community. Tammy also planned and executed a youth discussion group based on the Harry Potter books. In addition to her daily responsibilities, Tammy has helped organize three programs that will begin in the near future.
- The Meritorious Service Award honors a volunteer who has had the single most profound impact on the Scott Air Force Base Service Center, as well as Red Cross programs and services. The recipient of this award exemplifies the Red Cross values of dignity, respect, compassion and assistance.
Lindsay Pickens, of St. Louis, Mo., has been a Red Cross volunteer for 20 years. Although he lives in Missouri, he travels to Scott Air Force Base and volunteers his time in the 375th Medical Clinic. Lindsay’s current responsibilities include creating and managing nearly 29 databases. His superb organizational skills, dedication, selfless hard work and concern for others are the core attributes that rank him among the best. Lindsay is always eager to step in and help with a cheerful attitude, which has earned him respect and admiration from all those with whom he serves. He truly represents the Red Cross values of dignity, respect, compassion and assistance.
About Scott Air Force Base Volunteer Opportunities:
The Scott Air Force Base Service Center depends on the dedication of volunteers to serve thousands of active military, civil service employees, Reservists, Air National Guard, contractors and military family members. Volunteers at Scott Air Force Base are actively involved in Health and Safety presentations, Community Disaster Education, blood drives and Armed Forces Emergency Services.
To get more information about volunteering at the Scott Air Force Base Service Center, please call 618.256.1855, or log on to the St. Louis Area Chapter’s website at www.redcrossstl.org.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 91 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 446,600 times each year. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
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