The Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross held the annual meeting and banquet Thursday to recognize volunteer award winners. Tim Ziebarth, outgoing chairman of the board, was the master of ceremonies.

Following dinner, a video reviewed activities in 2004, and Ed Rock, Kosciusko County emergency management director, thanked the Red Cross for their responsiveness throughout the year.

During the brief business meeting, 2004 financial statistics were presented, and officers for 2005 were elected as follows: Jill Debatty, chairman; Kevin Weaver, vice chairman; Mike Suhany, secretary; and Burton Ramsey, treasurer. Other board members include Ziebarth, Ann Sweet, W. Wayne Walston, David Colquitt, Dean Lasseter, M.D., Layne Warren, Todd Sautter and Gretchen Moore.

Chapter volunteer awards were presented to: Elnora Cox, Lifetime Achievement Award; Ziebarth, Volunteer of the Year; Keith "Doozy" Huffer, Blood Services volunteer; Lynn Daugird, Disaster Services volunteer; Nancy Boston, Health and Safety Services volunteer; Clay Anderson, Youth Services volunteer; and Angel Fuller, a special Youth Fund-Raising Award.

The meeting closed with recognition of the chapter staff: Larry E. Peppel, executive director; Carol Stanton, director of program services; Ivana E. Goodrich, administrative assistant; and Danny Warrick, disaster team chairman.

For more information on the local chapter or on serving as a volunteer, visit the office at 320 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, phone 574-267-5244, fax 574-269-1581, e-mail [email protected] or visit the Web site, www.koscoredcross.org [[In-content Ad]]