AMERICAN RED CROSS HOLDS VOLUNTEER AWARDS CELEBRATION,
HONORS OUTSTANDING SERVICE

The American Red Cross of Tompkins County honored stellar volunteers at the 87th annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration, held Thursday, October 9 at the Holiday Inn. Peter Brellochs, Board Chair and Charles Nocera, Executive Director, honored over 100 attendees. A special presentation was given by Eleanor Stearns of the Geneva Theater Guild, who acted as Clara Barton, American Red Cross founder.

Awards were given to outstanding volunteers in each of the four American Red Cross programs, as well as administrative services. They are as follows:

Barry Adams of Brooktondale, for his work in Blood Services, clocking hundreds of hours in donor recruitment, drive registration, and refreshments.

Jeffrey Weiss and Anita Bellucci for their work with Emergency Services, developing a five-week multiform educational program designed to teach elementary-age students about Measles, and supporting the Red Cross Measles Initiative.

Cornell EMS for their active support of Health and Safety Services. The two women accepting the award, Connie Crowley and Abbey Fingeret, were instrumental in setting up and running CPR, first aid and AED training for the Cornell Community, teaching these courses on campus and at the local Chapter, ultimately leading to the training of over 550 individuals.

Boynton Middle School received the Homeless Services Special Chapter Award, accepted by Stephen Kirsch, teacher and food drive coordinator. Each year the students at Boynton run a food drive beginning just before Thanksgiving, benefiting the Homeless Services food pantry. This past year, Boynton students, under the direction of Kirsch, surpassed all other previous years by collecting over 5000 nonperishable food items!!

Finally, the Administrative Services Award was given in memory of a beloved volunteer Jeanne Chapple, who served as a receptionist, helping to create order in the busy Red Cross office. Ms. Chapple's daughter, Margaret Proulx, accepted the gift in memory of her mother.