Volunteers are the lifeblood of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
They save and change lives through basic life saving skills, such as CPR and disaster preparedness and response, raise vital funds and run our shops. Without them, the organisation simply would not be able to deliver our services, which help hundreds of thousands of people in crisis every year.
The commitment of these volunteers, their determination and ability to ‘get the job done’ and to ‘get the job done right’, was at the forefront of the Cayman Islands Red Cross last weekend with its annual celebration of the Volunteer Appreciation Award ceremony. More than 90 people came gathered on 14 January at Pappagallo’s restaurant in West Bay in Grand Cayman to honour the contributions of volunteers.
The evening began with Cayman Islands Red Cross Director Jondo Obi highlighting the origins of the movement, whereby the founder of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant, witnessed the horrors of war at the Battle of Solferino in 1864.
Mr. Dunant was so affected by this that he initiated the creation of the largest volunteer based organisation in 187 different countries worldwide. Mrs Obi also drew attention to the uniqueness of the Red Cross Movement, a family drawn together by its’ seven fundamental principles – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Chairman Andrew McLaughlin awarded 40 volunteers with ‘gold’ certificates, for their outstanding contribution and support for the CIRC during 2011. He thanked them for their dedication and hard work and reminded them of the Red Cross’s continuous commitment to all three of the Cayman Islands.
Programme managers Danielle Coleman (Disaster Manager), Peter Hughes (First Aid Training Manager) and Remy Imperial (Thrift Shop Manager) gave a brief overviews of the successes of 2011 and shared objectives for 2012.
Special awards were presented to volunteers in each programme for their dedication throughout the year and for going beyond the call of duty. These awards were given to Stephen Small, Anderson Skinner, Jerick Fulgencio, Sandra Robinson, Martha Flores, Ken Crowley, Melina Patatoukas and Susan Singleton.
A new award, initiated in 2011, ‘the Volunteer Choice Award’ was presented to Deserene Dennie Stewart, who was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2007.
“Having volunteered for the past 10 years with the CIRC it was an honour to receive the ‘Volunteer Choice Award 2011’. I was humbled that my peers acknowledged my commitment to the Red Cross. However, it is important to note that the work we do as volunteers is always team work. I am so proud to be part of the Red Cross family and sincerely feel that it is my home away from home,” she said.
The peak of the evening was the presentation of the ‘Volunteer of the Year Award 2011’. Mr. Rodan Asuncion, the recipient of this award, accepted it to a standing ovation and tumultuous applause. Mr. Asuncion had consistently demonstrated his willingness and ability to get any job done. In 2011, he had supported every local Red Cross programme and always approached every task with a positive outlook.
On accepting the award, Mr. Asuncion said, “I joined the CIRC in April 2008 with one vision, ‘to help others’. From there, I had devoted my free time in doing voluntary service in any way I can. I am very honoured and thankful for being awarded the ‘Volunteer of the Year for 2011’. I really can’t express how happy I am. I want to share this award with my fellow volunteers who work tirelessly for the Red Cross and the community.”
For more information about how you can volunteer at the Red Cross, please contact us at 949-6785 ext. 27, visit our website at www.redcross.org.ky or visit us on facebook at Cayman Island Red Cross.
Related Videos
