Hurricane Season is here and it’s going to be busy. Be ready when a storm strikes with this quick reference guide.

Written by: Amy Cottrell / American Red Cross

The ALMS Region is proud to announce its first ever recipient of the KIND Award: a volunteer that is

 K (knowledgeable)  I(involved) N (notable)  D (dedicated). This month, the award goes to the husband and wife team of Jerry and Linda Goforth, representing the Southeast Mississippi Chapter.

Jerry and Linda have been very active with the Red Cross since 2016 serving in various capacities such as Logistics, Training, Fleet, Blood Donor Ambassadors, Feeding Team and Governmental Operations.

The Goforth’s witnessed the needs of so many individuals after Hurricane Katrina and felt strongly about assisting others upon their retirement from law enforcement.  They researched several agencies and felt that the Red Cross best matched their own goals for service and giving back.  They have been very active volunteers for nearly five years.

Jerry and Linda’s commitment and service to the Red Cross is evident, even when not actively volunteering.  They recall an instance a couple of years ago as they were passing through the Mexico Beach, FL area while traveling. The area had suffered great loss months prior due to Hurricane Michael. While speaking with some of the residents, a local woman shared her own Red Cross story. She in turn gave Jerry and Linda a blanket that she been given by a deployed Red Cross  volunteer.  This woman wanted to pass on the generosity that had been given to her onto someone else.  The Goforth’s were very humbled by her kindness.

Jerry and Linda are additionally active in various other past times.  They are involved in their local human society and neighborhood association, and support of local area law enforcement. Linda is also a Master Gardner.  The Goforth’s reside on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

John McFarland, Executive Director of the Southeast Mississippi Chapter states  Since retiring from law enforcement careers and moving to Mississippi a few years ago, Linda and Jerry have become extremely valuable volunteers. Jerry oversees our vehicle fleet, both here at the Gulfport headquarters and at our outer offices.  He ensures all maintenance is done on time and that the vehicles have sufficient COVID protective disinfectants, etc. He also tests and services our chapter’s generator. Linda and Jerry perform regular inventories of supplies and have coordinated our Active Shooter training.  They both conduct some disaster training classes and were the lead on recruiting and training new disaster volunteers from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. They are two of our “go to” volunteers for operations and logistics.

Angie Grajeda, Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager states  Jerry and Linda support every line of service. They support our Operations team with facilities and vehicles throughout Mississippi. They support Blood Drives on a regular basis, often being the volunteers that are called on to fill-in when others do not fulfill their shifts. They support Disaster Cycle Services with inventory, building shelter kits, special projects, shelter surveys, relationship management. Through their regular routines of moving supplies and vehicles from office to office, they often also support Service to Armed Forces with ensuring supplies and inventory are accessible where needed. They have worked very hard to become knowledgeable of all the different policies and procedures that affect the work they are doing. As stated earlier, they are Involved with every activity whenever needed. Their efforts to provide quality service are notable as they have remained dedicated to the mission and involving other volunteers even during the COVID-19 environment. They have dedicated themselves to providing quality support to ensure the mission of Red Cross can be delivered through all lines of service.

Congratulations, Jerry and Linda! We appreciate your dedication to the Southeast Chapter and to the American Red Cross!

The Alabama Mississippi Region proudly announces May’s Volunteer of the Month, Dick Amberg, representing the representing the Central East Alabama Chapter.

He began his active and dedicated service in 2012. He has served as a blood services donor screener, blood donor ambassador and as Community Leader Volunteer. Dick’s most memorable moments with the Red Cross include working in hurricane relief shelters and having a chance to serve in “hands on” capacities. His most significant and important role has been as the Chairman of the Central East Alabama Board of the Red Cross.

He is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving two years in active duty and as a Naval Reservist for 30 years. He is retired from the newspaper industry working with several papers including serving as the publisher for the Montgomery Advertiser and as the General Manager for the Washington Times. He and his wife returned to Montgomery, AL upon his retirement in 2011. 

In addition to giving countless hours to the Red Cross, Dick also volunteers with Meals on Wheels, in a halfway home for parolees, tutoring disadvantaged children, and several other church and community activities. He and his wife have enjoyed extensive world-wide travels. He is the father of two children that are Harvard graduates and three wonderful grandchildren.

Kelly Hodges, Executive Director for the East Central Alabama Chapter, shares a few additional thoughts regarding his service as Chairman of their Board: Dick has led two successful board campaigns raising over $60,000 with 100% participation. Dick has recruited new board members and has secured generous financial gifts for the chapter.  Most recently, Dick collaborated with fellow board member Jean Davis to secure a $10,000 gift and a board membership commitment from locally headquartered ALFA Insurance company.

Dick was the first volunteer in the Central East Alabama chapter to step up during COVID 19 and agree to be a blood donor screener at local blood drives.  He stood at the front lines during drives taking temperatures and screening donors to ensure safety prior to entering the donor center.  He  also worked with our account managers in blood services to schedule blood drives during the trying times of COVID.  Always the giver, Dick was also instrumental in assisting his own church host its very first and very successful blood drive.

He is always there as Red Cross representative, going above and beyond in service and leadership for our chapter.  Dick is always willing to help-from sitting at a telethon to raise money for disasters or meeting with volunteers to simply say thank you. He is so kind, often penning a handwritten note to donors, board members or whomever he feels needs an encouraging word from the Red Cross.  We have been lucky to have this superhero lead our team!

Congratulations, Dick! We appreciate your commitment to the Central East Alabama Board and for your continual service to the American Red Cross!

Doing good feels good – especially when you know that your time is making a difference in the lives of others. We could not do what we do without our wonderful volunteers!

Meet Sharita – Volunteer of the Month

Sharita Vasanjee has always enjoyed helping others. Before moving to the US from South Africa she spent her free time planning events for her friends. She has always been the person her friends come to whenever they need help.

In July 2018, Sharita came to the Red Cross, “I was chatting with my Mum (now deceased) and I told her I want to volunteer at an organization where people will appreciate me so she told me I should do it.” She completed her application and started as the Business Administrative Associate just a few days later. “My mum was on top of the world that she told everyone in South Africa about my new role” Sharita recalls. Later, she would add two more roles: Fundraising Assistant and Volunteer Engagement Lead.  

When asked what her most memorable experience at the Red Cross was, Sharita couldn’t decide on just one, “Sound the Alarm, donating blood, blood telethon… anything that involves community outreach”. Sharita shared that one of the best things about being a Red Crosser is getting to spend time with everyone. She enjoys all the hugs and smiles she gets each day she comes into the office. “I am very grateful that I can help out when others ask me for assistance – even blood services!” She adds, “every day is a day of learning, love and blessings.”

A few interesting facts about Sharita that you should know. She is a certified in American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric and Adult CPR; she is working on her PMDP 2.0 certification through EDGE, she is a certified volunteer supervisor, she is afraid of frogs (ribbit, ribbit), she enjoys going on safari/wild game drives in her home country of South Africa. She has a passion for art, walking, hiking, nature, swimming and the beach. Oh and her sweet dog, Ziggy.

When asked what it meant to be the Volunteer of the Month, Sharita said, “It is truly a pleasure to have Richard (Tucker) as a Supervisor and a friend. I am very grateful that I work with such a good team. My heart beats for the Red Cross.”  Sharita, our heart beats for you too! Thank you for all that you do!

Have you ever given your time to a charity, or volunteered a few hours with a nonprofit?

Jay Wortley has. In fact, it’s been his mission for almost 20 years. Born in Phenix City Alabama, he spent years moving to various places; from Phenix City to the Jersey shore, to Guantanamo Bay, and back to Phenix City. After enlisting and serving a brief time with the Army, he returned home to attend trade school. He then worked in the car parts business before getting involved with a volunteer fire department and eventually, the American Red Cross.

Jay Wortley became aware of the Red Cross’ mission and need for volunteers in 2002 through the wife of a fellow church member. Coupled with his past experiences and curiosity for natural disasters, he decided to sign up for disaster response training. He started volunteering shortly after as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member. Suited well for the role, he was promoted to Captain of DAT, then coordinator, in which he was responsible for ten counties. He was ultimately promoted to Regional DAT Lead, where he handled logistics and case work.

Several years ago he attended a seminar about the soon to be deployed RC View application. The seminar was a presentation of what dispatch for the Red Cross would look like. Accounting for his years of experience and different roles, most recently as a Regional DAT Lead, he was asked to lead the RC View program for the state. As someone who likes to volunteer and doesn’t like to say no, Mr. Wortley accepted the position and after months of training, now works as paid interim staff teaching others how RC View works.

Asked what keeps him going after 18 years of service, he mentioned his strong belief in helping people. Through his work with the fire department and three deployments with the Red Cross, he saw the destruction natural disasters can cause first hand. He believes passionately in making a difference in someone’s life. Not just through an immediate response, but through rebuilding and making things better than they were before.

Over the years, Mr. Wortley has served in many capacities. In that time, he formed core beliefs about the Red Cross and what it stands for. When asked what he would want people to know about it, he said “the Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, which will help you regardless of race, creed, or religion”. He also mentioned “they have an incredible, passionate and dedicated volunteer base”. After talking with Mr. Wortley and seeing what he has done, we agree.

By: David Rauch / Communications Team, American Red Cross of Alabama