Susanne Shepherd, More Than 50 Years of Service
Susanne Shepherd has been involved with the Red Cross for over 50 years. In 1950, while attending John Burroughs High School, Susanne first got the itch to volunteer.
"My mother was a Red Cross volunteer and she signed me up to serve Thanksgiving meals downtown for service men during the Korean War," Susanne recalled.
"Ever since I can remember I liked to help people."
Susanne continued to volunteer for the Red Cross while attending college in Washington DC. "Our group was called 'Lend-a-Hand'. We made weekly trips to the Veterans hospital, Naval and Walter Reed Hospital in 1955 and 1956," Susanne shared.
After college, Susanne continued her work with the Red Cross, teaching the Junior Lifesaving Program at Camp Miniwaca in Michigan. "I wanted to continue on with my work with the Red Cross so I joined the Junior League of St. Louis." At the Junior League, Susanne participated in the hospital volunteer training program to prepare for her Red Cross volunteer work at Shriners Hospital in St. Louis.
After getting married and having three children, Susanne was recruited in 1967 to serve as the Chairman of Volunteers for Shriners where she managed the Red Cross volunteer program.
In recognition of her volunteer service with the St. Louis Area Chapter, Susanne received the Clara Barton Award and the President's call to Service Award in May, 1984.
Susanne's lifelong philanthropic endeavors have motivated her granddaughter to volunteer. "My granddaughter, Courtney, is following in my footsteps. She likes to help others," Susanne shared proudly. "If we could get a lot of people to do a little bit, we'd be in good shape!"
In 2003, Susanne and her husband, Charles, joined the Clara Barton Society to help support the mission of the Red Cross. "The Red Cross is always ready, willing and able to help in times of need," said Susanne.
In addition to giving so much of her time, Susanne believes it is important for volunteers to give financially if they can. "People should give more to make the Red Cross more able."
Susanne still spends 400 hours a year volunteering at Shriners Hospital and she volunteers every week at the Red Cross. "If there's something to be done, I'll do it," she said. "I just believe in the organization."