Bulloch County's Larry Jones was recognized by the American Red Cross (ARC) as "Rookie of the Year." Jones is a new volunteer who has shown outstanding performance in his volunteer role during their first year.
Larry Jones is married to Pat Jones and they both have a heart for service. Larry and Pat respond to fire calls and disasters around the clock to serve the mission of the ARC and help members of our community in times of great need.
Larry Jones is also working to rebuild the Bulloch County disaster action team. If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the ARC please call Stephen Palmer at 706-799-6225. Or you can contact Jones locally at 912-687-1551.
ARC Honors Volunteers
In addition to Jones recognition, the American Red Cross of Georgia honored volunteers across the state during a virtual recognition event in August
The annual event was held virtually for the first time in 2020 and was streamed online again this year due to COVID-19.
The event recognized the 3,531 registered Red Cross volunteers in Georgia, and the 324,274 hours they served in fiscal year 2021. Their donated time, valued at twenty-six dollars per hour, equates to an amazing 8.7 million dollars in services that helped prevent and alleviate human suffering in local communities.
The following 10 volunteers and partners from the Southeast chapter, nominated by their peers, were honored for their outstanding contributions to Georgia’s Red Cross during the virtual event:
Southeast Red Cross Volunteer & Partner Honorees
Blood Services Volunteer of the Year - Kris Nilson (Savannah)
Presented to a Blood Services volunteer with exemplary leadership skills who has volunteered for at least one year and made an outstanding contribution to Blood Services and the community.
Board Leadership Award - Allan Galis (Savannah)
Recognizes a board member who has provided significant and outstanding service on the Red Cross Board of Directors, contributing to the success of the local chapter
Disaster Action Team Member of the Year - Darrell Collier (Hortense/Brantley County)
Presented to a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member who has gone above and beyond when called to respond in the past year and shown standout performance in willingness to serve clients.
Disaster Response Award - Dianne Quinn (Mount Vernon/Montgomery County)
Presented to a two-plus year volunteer who demonstrates exceptional initiative in identifying and/or meeting the Disaster Cycle Service Response mission. Recipient helps maintain Red Cross readiness by skillfully recruiting, motivating, and coordinating a sufficient number of employees, volunteers and groups reflective of the community as disaster responders, and demonstrates cultural awareness, sensitivity and creativity in reaching diverse audiences.
Good Neighbor Award - Savannah Fire Department (Savannah)
Recognizes an organization that has partnered with the Red Cross to raise awareness of the Red Cross mission and expand the scope of communities the Red Cross is able to serve.
Rookie of the Year Award – Larry Jones (Statesboro/Bulloch County)
Recognizes a new volunteer who has shown outstanding performance in their volunteer role during their first year.
Service to the Armed Forces Award - Jessica Sanazaro (Fort Stewart/Hinesville)
Presented to a volunteer who demonstrates innovative and extraordinary efforts in meeting the needs of Red Cross Armed Forces customers served at the local, national or international level. Recipient’s performance and collaboration reflects positively on the Red Cross, heightens the commitment of others to the Service to the Armed Forces program and advances the organization's goals for diversity.
Exceptional Volunteer Service Award - Melissa Kedrowitsch (Fort Stewart/Hinesville)
Demonstrated exceptional performance and extensive personal commitment to specific service or project that has contributed to the improvement or expansion of Red Cross services to the community.
Volunteer Leadership Award - Elena Alexandrova (Savannah)
Presented to a volunteer who has sustained outstanding leadership for a number of years while meeting increasingly challenging responsibilities and advancing the organization's goal of achieving the total diversity of our people, programs, and services.
Volunteer Services Award - Barbara Mungin (Savannah)
Presented to a volunteer with exceptional skills in recruiting, motivating, and/or coordinating employees, volunteers or groups in sufficient numbers to support Red Cross readiness while helping to ensure that our workforce is growing more reflective of the communities it serves.
Clara Barton Volunteer Leadership Award - Robert Brown (Savannah)
Our highest honor, presented to a volunteer who has served in a number of leadership positions over the years, lending their personal expertise to help the Red Cross contribute valuable services to the community. Recipient demonstrates leadership in identifying and assessing organizational concerns; implementing effective solutions and providing constructive guidance to the Red Cross workforce.
More volunteers are always needed to carry out the Red Cross mission. Anyone interested in becoming a Red Cross Volunteer can visit redcross.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.
