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Annual Meeting Honors 90 Volunteers
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| Fred Kwayisi was honored for his life-saving response when a fellow Hood employee collapsed at work. Priscilla Greene (left) and Karyn Madore presented him with a special chapter recognition certificate. His wife, Amina (right), also attended the ceremony. |
CONCORD - September 22, 2006 - With a standing-room-only crowd, the Red Cross Concord Area Chapter and Greater White Mountain CSDU held the 2006 Annual Meeting on Thursday evening, September 21. The meeting included the election of new members to the Chapter's Board of Directors, approval of the 2005 meeting minutes and a vote on the Fiscal Year 2006 financial report. But the highlight of the evening was the award ceremony honoring 90 people and hosted by Karyn Madore, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Priscilla Greene, Executive Director.
Special Chapter recognition certificates were given to Tom Wertman and Fred Kwayisi from HP Hood Company on North State Street, Concord. Last July, using the skills learned from CPR/First Aid, they saved the life of a fellow employee (see the story "Hood Employees Honored at Annual Meeting"). Their quick and knowledgeable response was an excellent example of the value of CPR/First Aid training in the workplace.
Board members, Donald Bliss, Diane Allen, Helen Biglin and Richard Kamp, who have completed their terms on the Board of Directors, were recognized for their years of service. Richard Kamp also received an Honor Award with Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service on behalf of the Chapter. As chair, he skillfully guided the Chapter through the complex transitions to a new building and a merger with the former Greater White Mountain Chapter.
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| Marie Brezosky (left) receives an award for her tireless work with blood drives from Priscilla Greene, Chapter executive director. |
Other awards included recognition of 38 volunteers who gave their time and energy to help local victims of the May 2006 floods. Also the many dedicated volunteers who help with blood drives in Concord were honored. Marie Brezosky received a certificate of appreciation and a pin of recognition for her tireless work with staffing local drives, building relationships with vendors, and generally assuring that the Concord blood drives are successful. Thirty-three other blood services volunteers were also honored, including Patricia Weeks who has given 38 years of service to blood drives.
Eleven volunteers who come to the Chapter office to help in a variety of ways were honored. In particular Hailey Brennan, John Chambers and Josh Rivet, all local high school students, were recognized for the time they volunteered during their summer vacation.
Special recognition was given to four volunteers who have contributed significantly to disaster services. Joan Bishop was honored for her work as the Disaster Team Chairperson, consultant, and educator. Tom Brown was cited for developing a regionally recognized Chapter Disaster Plan. Kay Mahoney, who works in the Belmont Branch office, was honored for managing the Disaster Services Human Resources database, serving on a local disaster team and being an Instructor Trainer. Louise St. Onge was recognized for her leadership of the Disaster Action Team in the Berlin area.
Four special guests were introduced. Carolyn Allen served as the Chapter's executive director several years ago, and she continued to volunteer for years with Blood Services. Mary Ann Leon was the previous Chapter executive director, serving for 18 years. El Glaser was a volunteer and Gray Lady with the Red Cross for many years in Europe and the U.S.; photographs of her, then and now, are on the cover of the 2006 Annual Report. Jean Lane served the Red Cross for 60 years; she was a Gray Lady and a swimming instructor in the 1940s. Bob Prescott has volunteered for 52 years and continues to help regularly with the Chapter's bookkeeping.
The success of the Chapter is possible because of the outstanding dedication of all of these volunteers, from new youthful energy to long-term service over many decades. With the work of these volunteers the Red Cross is able to reach its goals of providing relief to victims of disasters and helping communities with emergency planning, preparation and response.
Would you like to join this honored team of Red Cross volunteers? For more information about the Chapter's volunteer program, call (800) 464-6692 or (603) 225-6697.
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