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SANTA ANA, Calif. – Myron Galchutt, Penny Frazier, Thu Mai Tran, Steve Meissner, Donna Perry and Jimmy Tsao were recognized today at the 33rd Annual Spirit of Volunteerism Awards luncheon. Each was honored for their work with the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
As Chairman of the Board of Directors, Myron Galchutt has provided visionary leadership that significantly increased the Orange County Chapter’s visibility and financial support from corporate leaders and stakeholders. He has proactively engaged in fund raising that supported delivery of critical programs and services to the community. Galchutt also serves with distinction on numerous Red Cross committees and teams promoting community disaster education and outreach, personal preparedness, and disaster relief for residents of Orange County and Southern California.
Penny Frazier has been volunteering with the Red Cross since January 2008. She is dependable and passionate about making a difference, even volunteering for small (but important) jobs such as covering the chapter’s switchboard. Frazier recently answered the call to join Service to the Armed Forces, which provides assistance to members of the military and their families, and has already assumed a leadership role in that function. She is on call and “ready to respond” to volunteer in the wake of disasters across the county.
Within the past year, Steve Meissner has assisted with hurricane relief efforts along the gulf coast, managed a shelter for Yorba Linda fire evacuees and stepped in to update www.oc-redcross.org. on a moment’s notice. He is also a member of the Chapter’s Disaster Action Team and has completed Red Cross media training, which has been a great help to the Chapter’s public affairs staff.
Donna Perry is a primary support for the Local Disaster Volunteer function, contacting new volunteers and helping them to enroll in upcoming classes and tracking their progress. She also was instrumental in supervising and running the Red Cross Public Information Hotline during the 2008 Triangle Complex Fire, where she worked twelve hour days for the first three days the phone bank was open.
Thu Mai Tran has been a volunteer since 2005, actively participating in the Chapter’s Asian Pacific Islander Community Outreach in order to exercise her commitment to making all Red Cross programs and services available to the largest number of residents in our incredibly diverse community. Since being laid off from Orange County Social Services due to the state’s budget shortfall, Tran has volunteered regularly and eagerly, declaring, “I just want to be involved!”
Jimmy Tsao, a youth volunteer has worked with the Orange County Chapter’s Youth Services Department for the past four years, is a senior at Villa Park High School. He has served in a multitude of roles in leading Red Cross youth programs-- from volunteering at leadership development camps (he is now returning this summer for his third year) to leading and coordinating the Youth In Emergency Services (Y.i.E.S.) program. As the liaison for Y.i.E.S, Tsao has overseen trainings that have educated hundreds of children and teens on disaster preparedness, First Aid and CPR.
“These volunteers embody the spirit of our many volunteers,” said Stanley Perdue, CEO of the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross. “They are incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated, and are invaluable contributors to the Red Cross mission of helping the community prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. We couldn’t do the work we do without them.”
The Annual Spirit of Volunteerism Awards recognize the county’s most deserving volunteers from nonprofit organizations and local businesses. Sponsored by Volunteer Center Orange County and the Orange County Register, the awards represent an opportunity to show volunteers from across the county that their contributions to our community are recognized.
