American Red Cross of Central Florida 

2005 Annual Meeting & Volunteer Recognition

2005 Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Highlights

The American Red Cross of Central Florida held its 2005 Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at the Rosen Centre Hotel. The celebration was sponsored by Bank of America, Bright House Networks, and Marsh. The local Red Cross presented the following local, regional, and national awards during the event:

LOCAL 2005 AWARDS: American Red Cross of Central Florida

Volunteer of the Year: Joseph Sanchez

Above and Beyond Departmental Awards:
Every year each department recognizes individuals who have gone Above and Beyond the call of duty in assisting their chosen area of the American Red Cross. We salute these individuals for living the Mission of the American Red Cross and following the Fundamental Principles of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Red Cross Movement.

Board of Directors: Conrad Santiago, Board of Directors, FD Chair

Emergency Services:
Michael Battaglia, Disaster Chairman
Louise Theofanous, Response Chair
Cheryl Heber, Staff Services Chair
John Sommerwill, Material Support Services Chair
Roberta Battaglia, Client Casework Chair
Yolanda Gonzalez, Welfare Information Chair
Terry Freeman, Health Services Chair
David Romano, Mental Health Services Chair
Nancy Krug, Community Services Chair
Charles Ehrhardt, Disaster Assessment Chair
Jacques Voisin, Technology Chair

Finance Department: Chuck Beverly, Board of Directors, Finance Chair

Financial Development: John Barrett, Special Events Committee, FD Chair

Health, Safety & Community Services:
Liz Chandler, Health & Safety Instructor
ARC of Central Florida Teen Corps
Myra Allcock, Teen Corps Adult Chairperson Human Resources: Joseph Sanchez, Volunteer & Instructor

Public Relations: Special Events Committee

Youth Services: Andy Holt, Teen Corps Chair

Ed Culbertson Award: Josh Schafer, Teen Corps Alumnus
The Teen Corps relies heavily upon the participation and support of parents and adults for the program to be a success. Adults serve as chaperones, transportation specialists, mentors and advisors, but most importantly, they serve as friends and role models. Ed Culbertson was no stranger to this commitment. Knowing what was needed to support a program of this scale, Ed began the Adults Support team. The "Ed Culbertson Memorial Award" was established in 1994 and is presented annually to an adult leader who exhibits the qualities vital to the success of the Teen Corps.

Ray Harper Award: Louise Theofanous, Disaster Services Response Chair
Ray Harper was a long time disaster volunteer in Seminole County who showed great commitment to the organization and the community by being the only Disaster Action Team volunteer in the county. The award, in his honor, is presented to a Disaster Services volunteer whose contribution of time and effort has significantly improved the ability of Disaster Services to respond to the needs of the community.

Sally Martin Award: Mercedez Fender, Armed Forces Emergency Services Volunteer
Sally Martin was a long time, committed Armed Forces Emergency Services volunteer who believed in the Red Cross movement and dedicated herself to the directive of the Congressional Charter and in support of the military. This award is dedicated in her name and is given to an individual who truly supports our mission and the promise to the military members and their families.

Steven Russell Petty Award: Briana Cherry, Teen Corps Public Relations Chair
Steven Russell Petty joined the American Red Cross Teen Corps in 1979 and within a year, Steven had become certified as a shelter manager, disaster case worker and a First Aid and CPR instructor. Steven decided that public service was his calling and worked to become an E.M.T. While continuing his education he was killed in a tragic automobile accident. The "Steven Russell Petty Memorial Award" was established in 1980 and is presented each year to the most outstanding high school member of the Teen Corps.

Hall of Fame: Myra Allcock, Jack Rupp
As an organization led by volunteers, the American Red Cross could not fulfill the promise we have made to ourselves, our community, our Country and the world without the commitment of our greatest resource, our volunteers. We can not begin to express our gratitude for your dedication of your time and talent.
Every once in a while we are blessed with individuals who have devoted their lives to the Mission of the American Red Cross, who have selflessly given of themselves and has made an enduring impact on the organization and the community as a whole. These individuals demonstrate such extraordinary achievements of credit to the Red Cross as to deserve recognition greater than would be conferred by other Red Cross awards.
It is with this purpose The Chapter has created the "Volunteer Hall of Fame". This award is given to individuals that have achieved definitive leadership within the organization and, over the span of a lifetime, indelibly contributed to the mission of the American Red Cross.

REGIONAL & NATIONAL 2005 AWARDS: American Red Cross

The National & Southeast Service Area Disaster Services Volunteer Awards: Michael Battaglia
Is presented annually to the individual who will have made a measurable impact on the American Red Cross and the community and clients we serve. Encouraged cooperative and collaborative relationships with other Red Cross units and with other community agencies. Demonstrated imaginative and extraordinary efforts in developing creative solutions to meet disaster-related community and individual client needs. Provided exceptional personal leadership, dedication, and perseverance, resulting in more effective delivery of service to disaster clients; enhanced preparedness efforts, resulting in more efficient, timely, and cooperative response, or, exhibited exceptional skills in recruiting, motivating, and/or coordinating employees and volunteers and internal or external groups and agencies in sufficient numbers to successfully support and maintain a disaster response.

The Good Neighbor Award: Central Florida News 13
Presented to an individual or organization outside the American Red Cross for having made a significant humanitarian contribution to the local, national, or international community in support of the Red Cross. The nominee should have demonstrated exceptional initiative in identifying and meeting community needs through actions that resulted in the provision of more effective services to people, were performed in the true light of humanitarian service and reflected positively on the American Red Cross.

The George M. Elsey Award: ARC of Central Florida Teen Corps
Presented to a Red Cross unit whose success in the integration of youth involvement has resulted in exemplary service to members of its community and served as an inspiration for other units to involve youth in service.. A commitment to youth development as evidenced by youth membership on the board and a progressive youth leadership development program. Strong links to the area school system and other youth-serving and/or community-based organizations. Retention of exceptional youth volunteers after they leave high school. Success in developing cooperative partnerships in service between youth and adults. Outstanding recognition of youth volunteers, including nomination for beyond-the-chapter positions and national awards. Creative integration of a culturally diverse youth membership into the various lines of service offered by that unit.

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to the victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross of Central Florida serves Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. The chapter's employees and volunteers provide disaster assistance to an average of one family each day. Every day, the chapter serves as a vital communication link between members of the armed forces and their families in our community. Lifesaving classes such as First Aid/CPR, Automated External Defibrillator Training, Water Safety and HIV/AIDS are available throughout the service area on a regular basis. For more information, visit http://centralflorida.redcross.org.

^top of page | link to us | send to a friend | privacy policy
Headquarters: 5 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803 Phone: (407) 894-4141

Copyright 2009. The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved.