By Stephanie Dunn Ashley
April is one of my favorite times of year — and not just because spring is arriving, flowers are blooming, and beach season is inching closer day-by-day. No, I love the month of April because it is National Volunteer Month.
Just last week, during a Red Cross volunteer recognition ceremony, we celebrated volunteers throughout the chapter that have gone above and beyond. Clara Burton, the founder of the American Red Cross, is also the name of the highest regional award. This award recognizes remarkable volunteers for their service in a number of leadership positions. I am delighted to share that Lisa Cooper, Chair of the Metro NY North Chapter Board, received this prestigious award. In Greenwich and beyond, we are so thankful for her leadership and volunteer efforts.
Later this month, at our 39th annual Red & White Ball, we will also be celebrating service from a variety of volunteers but most impressively we are celebrating 65 years of volunteer service to the Red Cross by awarding Ross Ogden with our Lifetime Service award.
When I think about the things that make Greenwich such an amazing place to live, it really comes down to people who volunteer their time for the betterment of others. Whether it’s someone volunteering with their schools or faith-based organizations, community and non-profit organizations — these are the volunteers we should all celebrate.
At the Red Cross, we rely on volunteers to fulfill our core humanitarian mission. Volunteers constitute more than 90% of the Red Cross workforce, including people who step up to help operate blood drives, respond to disasters near and far, assist veterans and military families, teach essential lifesaving skills such as first aid and CPR, and more. Just like the people we serve, our volunteers represent a wide array of cultures, backgrounds, ages, lifestyles and beliefs. Everyone is welcome at the Red Cross.
Some of the most powerful experiences I’ve had in my life have been while volunteering, whether in a formal setting by building playgrounds or reading to children, responding on the ambulance or firetruck, or being a bystander and helping as a Good Samaritan. I know from speaking with friends and neighbors that many of you feel the same way. It is so important to give something back, and as someone who has donated my time for everything from the New York Junior League and Parent Teacher Association to the Cos Cob Fire Rescue, Greenwich Emergency Medical Service and the Convent of the Sacred Heart — it is an incredible way to meet some amazing people.
If you are thinking about volunteering, April is the perfect time to do it. There are so many great opportunities to try something new — join friends at Tod’s Point to do a park cleanup, join the PTA or Town Committee, volunteer at Greenwich Hospital or your local faith-based organization — just think about what you care about and how you can help support that.
The Red Cross offers many ways to volunteer, and I’d bet there is something that works for you. If you aren’t sure that going to the scene of a home fire is for you, maybe you’d be more interested in joining up with our Home Fire Campaign to help people be ready before disaster strikes. Maybe you aren’t someone who wants to interact with the public — we have volunteer positions that focus on internal support, like our Logistics team. Take a moment to see if something resonates with you, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer and look at the opportunities that are currently available.
Spring is a time of rejuvenation and hope, and I always feel so reinvigorated by seeing people volunteer. Thank you to each and every one of you who donates your time, whether to the Red Cross or to any organization that helps people. Keep up the great work!
Stephanie has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit sector in Greenwich for over twenty years. Her current role as CEO of the MNYN chapter of the American Red Cross began in March 2020. Stephanie oversees Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York, the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, and Greenwich, Connecticut for all lines of service of the Red Cross.
