Red Cross honors workers at picnic

    The Aroostook County Branch of the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross honored dozens of volunteers and their thousands of hours of training and service to the people of their county, state and country on Saturday, June 28 at a picnic in Caribou.
     Maine State Reps. Bernard Ayotte, Peter Edgecomb, and Patricia Sutherland attended the event. Ayotte presented a Sentiment of Appreciation from the Aroostook County legislative delegation to each volunteer.
    The County Federal Credit Union provided each volunteer with a red t-shirt sporting the American Red Cross logo.
    Romeo Bouchard of Woodland was recognized as Aroostook County Volunteer of the Year in recognition of his providing more than 1,100 hours of service locally and nationally this past year.
    Since June, local American Red Cross volunteers have been serving the emergency needs of Aroostook County friends and neighbors. Providing more than 4,500 volunteer service hours, they received specialized disaster training and participated in exercises that enabled their swift response to emergencies such as family house fires and Armed Force Emergency Services communication, according to Joyce Knorr, director of the local Red Cross branch.
    Volunteers’ disaster preparation and training was put to the test when the call went out for emergency assistance in response to County flooding on the morning of April 30.  Within hours, Red Cross volunteers from opened a public shelter in Fort Kent.
    With assistance from other Maine volunteers and Red Cross volunteers from a dozen states, they helped distribute food throughout the area to victims and workers, arranged emergency housing for people with special medical needs, and began providing flood-affected families with free food, clothing, and access to emotional support, Knorr said.
    County volunteers helped provide damage assessment in the St. John Valley and Southern Aroostook areas and for weeks continued to distribute food, water, snacks, comfort kits, clean up kits, and other needed supplies to help with relief efforts.  Many local volunteers took vacation days from work or rearranged their school and work schedules to assist the hundreds of people victimized by raging river waters throughout Aroostook County.
    Knorr said, “The work of the Red Cross would not be successful if it were not for the dedication and support of these wonderful volunteers.”
    When asked what makes a person want to be a Red Cross volunteer, Bill Thomas of Woodland said, “Helping others feels good and allows me a chance to give back to my community. The Red Cross provides rewarding experiences, opportunities to utilize my talents, and provides training to help me serve others.  I am able to be part of making a difference in many lives.”
    The Red Cross depends on volunteers, which are 97% of the chapter’s personnel, according to Knorr. They work directly with community residents, serve on the chapter’s board, Advisory Council and committees, and provide behind-the-scenes support.
    According to Knorr, the Aroostook County Branch always welcomes volunteers.  Every volunteer receives receive free Red Cross training, “we can accommodate almost any schedule, and can guarantee a very rewarding experience,” she said.
    Volunteer opportunities and education include training in community disaster response, first aid, CPR, water safety, babysitter safety and many other subjects.  Aroostook County Branch volunteers can, in turn, teach these subjects to others, help provide community-based services for families made homeless by natural and man-made disasters, act as translators so that non-English speakers can receive Red Cross services quickly and effectively, provide non-medical nursing services, facilitate emergency communications between military personnel and their loved ones, and help organize and participate in Red Cross Youth Clubs.
    Volunteers also donate their professional experience in accounting, fund raising, public relations, administration, human resources, and information technology to the Chapter, and fill leadership roles on the Board of Directors and on advisory Councils and committees.
    To become a Red Cross volunteer and receive free training, or to obtain further information about Red Cross volunteering, call the Aroostook County Branch office in Caribou at 493-4620 or email knorrj@pinetree.redcross.org.  All that is required is completing an application and a background check.
    The Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross has served the people of Aroostook County and the counties of eastern and northern Maine since 1919. With offices in Caribou, Bangor, Ellsworth and Rockland, the Chapter provides emergency response and preparation services, Armed Forces Emergency Services, and skills training that helps save lives.  Last year, the Chapter responded to more than 150 household disasters including nearly two dozen in The County, helping more than 325 Mainers.  The Chapter also served nearly 800 military families, trained more than 10,000 people, and worked with Emergency Management Agencies, towns and organizations in more than 200 communities including nearly 60 in Aroostook County.