Red Cross Recognizes Retiring Trustee
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Craig Brosman-
At its annual Red Cross Volunteer Dinner, the Red Cross acknowledged the retirement of a member of the board of the trustees, those who have volunteered and the Times-Union.
While the members of the board were being recognized for their commitment to the community through their years on the board, it was announced that board member Julie Bowers would be retiring from the board when her term is up at the end of the month. When all of the board members were recognized, Bowers was asked to say a few words about her time with the organization.
“I have seen a lot of changes and it’s wonderful to come through the window of change,” Bowers said. “We were worried if the changes were for the best. We did not want to lose the community sense of self. It is nice to know that the Red Cross is there.”
In addition to Bower’s retirement, there were two members of the board re-elected. Jim Brennan and Peggy Lieffring were unanimously elected to another three-year term.
After a short speech by Lisa Fulton, chairman of the board, Red Cross Operations Director Kim Komdeur took time to recognize all of the volunteers that make the Red Cross’s mission possible.
Komdeur first called Mary Hoffer to the podium to accept her pin, recognizing her as a nurse for the Red Cross.
“This is a special pin with a number just for Mary,” Komdeur said. “This pin will not be reissued and must either be buried with Mary or sent back to the Red Cross. It is a very special pin.”
Komdeur then called volunteer Bob Harkness to accept his deployment pin for deploying to the Dakotas during 2011 for flood relief.
She also recognized the two volunteers from Kosciusko County that deployed to southern Indiana and Kentucky during the aftermath of the Henryville tornado. Both Larry Pepple and Sherry Lantz were given deployment pins.
Komdeur also recognized the team leaders for the Kosciusko County Chapter of the Red Cross. Mary Hoffer, Larry Pepple, Bob Harness and Bree Robinson all stood and were recognized for their efforts.
After recognizing some of the volunteers Komdeur walked to the podium and pulled off four puzzle pieces that made up the Red Cross emblem and handed them out to members of the audience.
Komdeur then publically recognized the Times-Union as its Media Partner of the Year for its continued dedication to the community. She also thanked the Times-Union for covering the disasters and helping the Red Cross publish important information for the public.
“Someone once said there are no extra puzzle pieces in the universe,” Komdeur said. “Everyone is here for a reason.”
Each puzzle piece represented an important area of the Red Cross’s mission. The first was community outreach and Fulton spoke quickly about Project Safe.
“It was the first time I acted as a service member,” Fulton said. “I got to do it with my husband, Steve. For me it was one of those touching moments.”
Afterward, volunteer Sharon Clay spoke about why she volunteers at blood drives.
“I am retired and needed something to do and I love people,” Clay said. “What a joy it is to see these people, they are so willing to give. The best are the high school kids, they are so willing to give.”
Komdeur followed, briefly speaking on youth services.
“In the last year we have had 80 kids go through our Scrubby Bear program for washing their hands,” Komdeur said. “This year we will be in every elementary school in Warsaw. We will also be implementing a summer day camp called Survivor Camp.”
The last piece of the puzzle is disaster services.
In the last year the Kosciusko Chapter has added 24 volunteers in the disaster services section of the chapter. Last year these volunteers helped a local family in their time of need. The Saldivar family found out early one November morning that there was an electrical fire in their home and they lost nearly half of their home to the fire. The Red Cross was there to help.
“We never thought it would happen to us,” Gloria Saldivar said. “It is the worst feeling. We were lucky to be alive. It has been a blessing to know we have a community that comes together so fast. The Red Cross gave us funds to purchase clothes for the kids.”
“We are thankful we have another day to look forward to,” she said.
On a closing note Komdeur summarized the purpose of the Red Cross.
“This is why we do what we do. We do it to help people in a time of need,” she said.
[[In-content Ad]]
At its annual Red Cross Volunteer Dinner, the Red Cross acknowledged the retirement of a member of the board of the trustees, those who have volunteered and the Times-Union.
While the members of the board were being recognized for their commitment to the community through their years on the board, it was announced that board member Julie Bowers would be retiring from the board when her term is up at the end of the month. When all of the board members were recognized, Bowers was asked to say a few words about her time with the organization.
“I have seen a lot of changes and it’s wonderful to come through the window of change,” Bowers said. “We were worried if the changes were for the best. We did not want to lose the community sense of self. It is nice to know that the Red Cross is there.”
In addition to Bower’s retirement, there were two members of the board re-elected. Jim Brennan and Peggy Lieffring were unanimously elected to another three-year term.
After a short speech by Lisa Fulton, chairman of the board, Red Cross Operations Director Kim Komdeur took time to recognize all of the volunteers that make the Red Cross’s mission possible.
Komdeur first called Mary Hoffer to the podium to accept her pin, recognizing her as a nurse for the Red Cross.
“This is a special pin with a number just for Mary,” Komdeur said. “This pin will not be reissued and must either be buried with Mary or sent back to the Red Cross. It is a very special pin.”
Komdeur then called volunteer Bob Harkness to accept his deployment pin for deploying to the Dakotas during 2011 for flood relief.
She also recognized the two volunteers from Kosciusko County that deployed to southern Indiana and Kentucky during the aftermath of the Henryville tornado. Both Larry Pepple and Sherry Lantz were given deployment pins.
Komdeur also recognized the team leaders for the Kosciusko County Chapter of the Red Cross. Mary Hoffer, Larry Pepple, Bob Harness and Bree Robinson all stood and were recognized for their efforts.
After recognizing some of the volunteers Komdeur walked to the podium and pulled off four puzzle pieces that made up the Red Cross emblem and handed them out to members of the audience.
Komdeur then publically recognized the Times-Union as its Media Partner of the Year for its continued dedication to the community. She also thanked the Times-Union for covering the disasters and helping the Red Cross publish important information for the public.
“Someone once said there are no extra puzzle pieces in the universe,” Komdeur said. “Everyone is here for a reason.”
Each puzzle piece represented an important area of the Red Cross’s mission. The first was community outreach and Fulton spoke quickly about Project Safe.
“It was the first time I acted as a service member,” Fulton said. “I got to do it with my husband, Steve. For me it was one of those touching moments.”
Afterward, volunteer Sharon Clay spoke about why she volunteers at blood drives.
“I am retired and needed something to do and I love people,” Clay said. “What a joy it is to see these people, they are so willing to give. The best are the high school kids, they are so willing to give.”
Komdeur followed, briefly speaking on youth services.
“In the last year we have had 80 kids go through our Scrubby Bear program for washing their hands,” Komdeur said. “This year we will be in every elementary school in Warsaw. We will also be implementing a summer day camp called Survivor Camp.”
The last piece of the puzzle is disaster services.
In the last year the Kosciusko Chapter has added 24 volunteers in the disaster services section of the chapter. Last year these volunteers helped a local family in their time of need. The Saldivar family found out early one November morning that there was an electrical fire in their home and they lost nearly half of their home to the fire. The Red Cross was there to help.
“We never thought it would happen to us,” Gloria Saldivar said. “It is the worst feeling. We were lucky to be alive. It has been a blessing to know we have a community that comes together so fast. The Red Cross gave us funds to purchase clothes for the kids.”
“We are thankful we have another day to look forward to,” she said.
On a closing note Komdeur summarized the purpose of the Red Cross.
“This is why we do what we do. We do it to help people in a time of need,” she said.
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092