Your Red Cross Update

By Alex Keilty, American Red Cross Volunteer 

How does one American Red Cross award recipient know her volunteer work is helping people?

“It’s the look of relief when someone realizes they have a safe place to go, when a family gets the help they need to take their next step, or when someone who has lost so much realizes they aren’t facing it alone,” Red Cross Volunteer Jody Kimbrel says. Jody has seen that relieved expression on people’s faces countless times while responding to 70 major disasters, including Hurricane Helene and wildfires in Maui and California.

In recognition of her efforts, Jody was awarded the Bob Hassmiller Excellence in Disaster Services Award in Washington, D.C. in April this year. This national level award celebrates a volunteer who has made a significant, positive impact on the American Red Cross, the community and the people we serve in the areas of disaster preparedness, response, or recovery.

Since joining in 2015, Jody has contributed over 9,200 on-call hours, 3,500 local hours and 11,000 disaster relief hours. Her colleagues describe her as calm, compassionate, collaborative and a role model.

Debbie Yee, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager for the Northern California Coastal Region, (shown in a photo with Jody above) nominated Jody and said, “For the past decade Jody has been an incredible leader within our region.”

As Disaster Chair for Solano County, Calif. for five years, Jody managed more than 60 volunteers, mentoring leaders who now serve nationally. She revitalized Solano County’s Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, championed outreach to underserved communities and organized Sound the Alarm events that made hundreds of homes safer with free smoke alarms.

Justin Mueller, Regional Chief Executive Officer, said, “The list of accomplishments over the years is nothing short of impressive.” Justin noted Jody’s passion and dedication that have inspired so many of her colleagues at the Red Cross.

When asked why she gives so much time and energy to the Red Cross, Jody said, “I continue to volunteer because I believe in what we do. There’s something very rewarding about being able to step into a difficult situation, help bring some order to the chaos, and know that you made someone’s day a little easier.” She added, “But what keeps me coming back is the people — the clients, the communities, and the Red Cross responders who show up ready to help.”

Do you know someone like Jody who embodies the heart and spirit of the Red Cross through exceptional service and leadership? Nominate them before Oct. 9! Red Crossers can find nomination forms for the next Bob Hassmiller Excellence in Disaster Services Award and other national awards in OneSource.