The 2009 fiscal year brought many opportunities to volunteer and give of our time and energy here at the Orange County Chapter. Our volunteers served the military, responded to local emergencies, reached out to the Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander communities, and worked with other non-profit and faith-based organizations. We had a successful year with our Disaster Preparedness Academy, a Golden Guardian / Great California Shake Out drill, record attendance at our Super CPR Day and many fun times at the various recognition events in December and in April. The Red Cross proudly recognized our volunteers with awards from the Annual Golden Circle Awards, Spirit of Volunteerism Awards, Senator Lou Correa’s Seniors Making a Difference and the Disney Resort Scholarship for Excellence.

This year exceeded all others in the number of hours contributed by volunteers – an astounding 55,477 hours with 1,457 volunteers participating over the last 12 months. The value of these hours is calculated to be $1,107,970.15!

We proudly salute and thank our volunteers for their generous contributions. Disaster volunteers who served in the hurricanes and wildfires of 2008 topped the ranks, accounting for 13% of the chapter’s total hours contributed in FY 2009:

Marilyn Reilly – 1,274 hours

With double the number of hours of the next volunteer, we recognize that Marilyn is truly a generous spirit. Though she could be spending her time in other ways, or with other organizations, Marilyn chooses to share her passion for organization, her energy and her quick wit with us at the Orange County chapter. Marilyn also deployed for 25 days in 2008 to manage a shelter of 2,500 evacuees in Louisiana and served during Wildfires ‘08. As the Mass Care function lead and member of the Volunteer Advisory Council, she has been instrumental in the chapter’s efforts to develop shelter capacity in Orange County as well as the successful population of the National Shelter System (NSS) and the development of the new Volunteer Mentoring Program.


Susie Johnson – 608 hours

Susie has been with the Red Cross since February 1995, and shares her passion for helping others as the Client Services Lead and in her role as a Disaster Action Team supervisor. In 2008, Susie responded and deployed to the Gulf Coast for 16 days in response to Hurricane Gustav; worked diligently during the Triangle Complex Wildfire and also supported sheltering and Local Disaster Volunteer staffing operations.


Robert Kohler – 590 hours:

Robert joined the Red Cross in September 2005 to respond to Hurricane Katrina. Since then he has been a dedicated DSHR member and deployed TWICE in 2008 for a total of 28 days to the Gulf Coast for Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. Robert was also active during the Triangle Complex Wildfire response, working in our shelters and supporting Mass Care operations.




Larry Thompson – 570 hours

Larry Thompson has held many roles in his tenure with the Red Cross. Larry joined the volunteer team in January 2005, and has supported the Chapter in multitudes of ways. Larry held the inaugural post of Community Ambassador Lead and developed that function to support the Red Cross’ outreach to the Orange County community. He also responded to the Triangle Complex Wildfire in 2008 supporting the needs of the logistics team. This year Larry also received the George Chitty Leadership Award for his efforts leading the Community Ambassador function.


Barbara Hogan – 496 hours

Barbara has been a long time Disaster Services volunteer, joining us in April 2002. In 2008, she deployed to the Gulf Coast for 16 days during Hurricane Gustav, working in shelters and providing care for the evacuees. Barbara regularly supports the Disaster & Client Services office and our military families via the Service to the Armed Forces. Additionally, she is an active Disaster Action Team responder and takes on the follow-up work in Client Services.


Lee Ann Schneider – 475 hours

Lee Ann came to the Red Cross in September 2005 in response to Hurricane Katrina. Since then, she has involved herself deeply with the Disaster Services team responding to the Triangle Complex Wildfire and supporting a multitude of functions, including Logistics, Mass Care and Sheltering. Lee Ann also supports many special chapter projects and will take on any challenge, for which she received this year’s Outstanding Support Volunteer Award.




Cathy Barclift – 471 hours

Cathy became a Red Cross volunteer in October 2007. She generously dedicated her energy and time to serving military families in SAF, caring for disaster affected clients in Client Services and helped us to coordinate and staff local disaster responses. In 2008, Cathy Deployed for 21 days to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, and worked passionately during the Triangle Complex Wildfire. Cathy has recently moved to Georgia, where while we will miss her greatly, we are certain that she will be warmly welcomed by the local Red Cross chapter.


Harvey Barrows – 468 hours

Harvey has been a dedicated DSHR disaster volunteer since joining us in January of 1992. In 2008 Harvey deployed TWICE for Hurricanes Ike & Gustav for a total of 37 days to the Gulf Coast. He worked in shelters with disaster affected clients providing shelter, food and care to those in need.




Bill Worth – 451 hours

Bill has been volunteering for the Red Cross since September 2005 when he responded to the call for help during Hurricane Katrina. Since then, he has taken on the role of Logistics Warehouse Lead, helping the chapter to provide the needed tools and materials to support our disaster relief operations both large and small. In 2008, Bill deployed for 22 days to the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Gustav, led the warehouse operations for the Triangle Complex Wildfire and still managed to find time for his duties as a Disaster Action Team supervisor and Community Ambassador.



Paul Arritt – 444 hours

Paul began his volunteer experience with the Red Cross in September 2005 when he was sent to the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Katrina. Since then, he has been a dedicated disaster responder and in 2008 deployed TWICE to the Gulf Coast for a total of 36 days during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. While there, Paul supported Mass Care and Sheltering operations and when home, is an active member of the Client Services team.


Jeffrey Baker – 437 hours

Jeff also joined the Red Cross Volunteer corps in September 2005, responding to Hurricane Katrina. In 2008 Jeff responded and worked for 20 days during Hurricane Ike supporting Mass Care, Sheltering and taking on the challenge of Logistics/Transportation duties on the Gulf Coast.