Karen Louthain's main goal as the new executive director of the Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross is to increase volunteerism.
Louthain has served as executive director of the chapter since January. She replaced Larry Peppel, who retired from the position. Peppel's last day at the Red Cross is April 1.
Louthain was named executive director Jan. 19 and previously served as the United Way of Kosciusko County campaign coordinator for eight years. She said that position is helping her in her new role as executive director and has helped her learn what the community is capable of in fundraising.
"It's a pleasure to be here and it's been helpful to receive training from Larry," Louthain said.
She said she is amazed at how the Red Cross assists those who are at the most challenging points in their lives.
"I have stood beside volunteers who work tirelessly, yet cheerfully for the benefit of people that they will never know or even see," Louthain said.
She said 96 percent of Red Cross services is by volunteers and the rest is by employees."We can't do our job unless we have a really large amount of volunteers," Louthain said.
She said volunteers are needed for disaster relief efforts and volunteering during natural disaster relief efforts, and to help volunteer with blood drives.
Louthain said March is Red Cross Month and the Red Cross holds blood drives to celebrate the month.
The county's chapter goal is to raise 6,000 units of blood by the end of June. The county is currently at 5,200 units of blood.
Red Cross is continuing to offer CPR/First Aid classes supported by a K21 Foundation grant, which allows Kosciusko County Red Cross to train church groups in CPR for free.
Kosciusko County's chapter of its Disaster Action Team volunteers and staff responded to four single-family disasters serving 17 clients and provided one canteen for emergency personnel.
She said four families have been displaced by recent flooding. Those affected were assisted with alternative housing through Red Cross assistance.
Louthain is married to Charlie Louthain, a shop manager at Creighton Brothers. She has a son, Zack Beck, a sophomore at Warsaw Community High School.
She graduated from WCHS in 1983. In 1987, she graduated Ball State University with a major in psychological sciences and a minor in communications.
She is the choir director at Atwood Otterbien United Methodist Church. She is president of Delta Theta Tau, a sorority that assists children who are in need in the community.
For more information about the Red Cross or to volunteer, visit www.redcross.org or call Louthain at 574-267-5244.
