By Lucca Lorenzi, Communications Volunteer
Three long-term volunteers from the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter were recognized for their dedication of their time and talents to their community’s veterans and current members of the armed forces in 2022. Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces volunteers are there 24/7 to provide comfort and care to members of the military, veterans and their families as they prepare for, cope with and respond to the challenges of military service.
The award winners for the Central California Region are:
Sarah Brown-Monroe – Presidential Volunteer Service Award – The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action. Sarah Brown-Monroe was recognized for demonstrating unpaid acts of volunteer service benefitting others. Additionally, Brown-Monroe was awarded the Gold Level Award for serving 500 hours in a single year.
Regina (Gina) Bustamante – Service to Women Veteran of the Year – Gina Bustamante was recognized as the 2022 Service to Women Veteran of the Year at the Fresno Women’s Stand Up event in early October. As a Red Cross Disaster Health Services volunteer and Academic Service-Learning leader, Gina mentors local nursing students and helps them understand community nursing and public health. By serving at local events and major disasters, these student nurses learn all aspects of community nursing. During her 17 years with the Red Cross, she continues to support veterans in all her endeavors. At the presentation of her award, the organization shared, “her dedication and commitment to helping others makes her a notable example of a woman helping others. The Service to Women Veterans could not go to a more deserving person.”
Debby Dailey – California Assembly Certificate of Recognition – Debby Dailey was recognized by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula at the Central Valley Veterans Stand Down event in early September. Dailey has been a volunteer for the Central Valley Chapter for 40 years. Arambula shared, “She is a dynamic volunteer for the American Red Cross of the Central Valley who always makes sure that veterans in need are connected to services and veterans agencies.” No matter the time Debby answers every call from multiple county fire departments, and she ensures Red Cross Disaster Action team members respond accordingly as well as working closely with Service to Armed Forces.
THE HEART OF OUR WORKFORCE
Many Red Cross volunteers are veterans who continue to support their communities after their active-duty service ends. From the front lines of disaster recovery to service in Veterans Administration (VA) and military hospitals across the nation and around the world, their impact is integral to the Red Cross.
Over 20,000 Red Cross volunteers are veterans — making up 14% of our workforce. Veterans hold many positions at the Red Cross from nurses to logisticians, emergency management experts, project managers and preparedness experts, as well as a number of veterans in leadership roles at local Red Cross chapters across the country.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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