Volunteer Spotlight Archives

Volunteer Spotlight

December 2007

Sara Wolfe

Sara Wolfe has been a volunteer with the Arlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross since September 2006.  In her professional life, she works for Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, DC.  Passionate about the organization’s mission, she wanted to get more involved at the Chapter level as a volunteer.  Since her start as a volunteer, Sara has significantly contributed to our Chapter in several leadership roles through serving on the March Mania planning committee and as the Leadership Committee Chair for a new young professionals group called Club Red.

     In 2007, our annual basketball tournament fundraiser, March Mania, was taken to a much larger level thanks to a very dedicated volunteer team.  Sara plays basketball recreationally and was able to contribute her expertise on the sport to the Chapter.  She helped organize the tournament’s schedule and brackets and recruited several teams.  “I recruited a team from Red Cross headquarters to play in the March Mania tournament and we are all still good friends today,” Sara recalls.  The Chapter is currently gearing up for March Mania 2008, to be held on March 8, and Sara has already begun helping to plan and organize the event.

      Sara has also lent her leadership skills to the Chapter’s new young professionals group, Club Red.  Club Red is a way for volunteers in their 20s and 30s to contribute to the Chapter through fundraisers, special events, and volunteer projects in a fun and social setting.  “When I was first toying with the idea of starting a group like this for the Chapter, I knew I would need several strong volunteer leaders to get it off the ground.  Sara Wolfe was the first to come to mind.  When I approached her with the idea, she was immediately excited and ready to get started!  Thanks to her hard work over the past several months, we’ve been able to get Club Red off to a successful start.  Her enthusiasm for our mission is contagious!” states Heather Pritchett, Volunteer Coordinator.

                  When asked why she enjoys volunteering for the Red Cross, Sara stated, “I think it is a great cause. The Red Cross has done so many great things for people and I like feeling as though I’m a part that , even if it’s a very small part.”  We are ecstatic to have Sara on our team of volunteers.  Her leadership abilities, motivation, and determination have helped to make our Chapter and the entire Arlington community a better place.

Volunteer Spotlight

September 2007

Krista Jeremiah

Krista Jeremiah has been a volunteer with the Arlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross since January of 2006.  Her experience with our organization began long before she came to Arlington, however.  Krista began volunteering with the American Red Cross when she was just 14 years old as a candy striper in the physical therapy department in Florida’s Mayport Naval Base clinic.  She later assisted in the disaster relief efforts in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina with the United Methodist Corps on Relief (UMCOR).  Her appreciation for the American Red Cross was solidified while working with UMCOR.  Krista stated, “Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles came by morning, noon, and night with hot meals.  The people on those ERVs were wonderful. They brought news about what other groups were doing and when they found out that I was a vegetarian they made a point of bringing me a separate vegetarian meal every day. I didn’t have to eat the MREs I’d brought!”  After her interaction with the Red Cross during Hurricane Katrina relief, Krista returned to Arlington and signed up to volunteer with the Arlington County Chapter.

                  Disaster Services Coordinator, Dawn Kuras, said, “Krista’s dedication, flexibility, and willingness to serve on a variety of projects has been a great asset to our Chapter!  Over the past year, she’s provided great support to our Disaster Services program, assisting with administrative tasks as well as serving as a dedicated member of our Disaster Action Team.  Krista has also contributed her personal talents as a photographer throughout our week-long summer Youth Disaster College, at our National Airport Drill, and for the 2008 Chapter Calendar.”

                  When asked what motivates her to stay involved with the Red Cross, Krista stated, “The people. I’ve met so many interesting people through the Red Cross with such a broad spectrum of backgrounds, interests and skills. It has the interesting effect of humbling me at the same time that I’m empowered and inspired to help more.”  Krista said that one of her most rewarding moments as a volunteer occurred during her time photographing the Youth Disaster College.  “Watching some of the kids move from a ‘my-mom-made-me-come’ attitude to excitement and interest as they realized the practical applications and responsibility inherent in what they were learning was part of what the Red Cross is all about,” said Krista.  She also recalled the first moment that she realized what an adrenaline rush volunteering can be.  “It was pouring outside and I’d gotten used to not being called while on DAT duty, when the phone rang.  It was a DAT call! I changed into my ARC clothes, grabbed my bag, ran through the rain and didn’t take my first full breath when I shut the door of the car to head to the chapter.   I had a legitimate reason to get out, look around and help a few people.  Pretty neat!”  Krista added.

                  The Arlington County Chapter is very grateful to have Krista on our team of volunteers.  Her dedication and enthusiasm are contagious and her work benefits our entire organization.   Dawn Kuras adds, “We’re glad to have her as a part of our team, and look forward to working with her in the future!”

Volunteer Spotlight

August 2007

Bisher Mufti

Bisher Mufti has been chosen for our very first Volunteer Spotlight!  Bisher, who began volunteering with the Arlington County Chapter in January of 2007, is currently a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member.  Bisher said, “Starting with the Red Cross was a pretty easy decision after some searching on www.volunteermatch.com.”  After attending a New Volunteer Orientation, as required of all our volunteers, he signed up for the DAT Semester.  The DAT Semester is comprised of two consecutive, intensive weekends of training to prepare volunteers to respond to local disasters.  Since then, he’s been on call off and on for the past few months.  In April alone, Bisher signed up to be on call a total of 16 days, 6 of which he carried the pager.  At the beginning of April he was able to go out on his first call.  Regarding his first response on the scene at an apartment fire, Bisher stated, “It’s always a tragedy for the clients, but knowing that I was there to help them get their lives together is truly a remarkable experience.”                 

Along with his experience in Disaster Services, Bisher plans to become an instructor for both  Health and Safety and Disaster Services.  When asked what drives him to pursue such Red Cross courses, Bisher said, “My main focus has been to continue to take classes so that I am best prepared to help out as often as I can. . .I also enjoy meeting all the different people in the classes.  As I’m sure everyone does, I’ve taken classes all over the NCA as well as at the local Arlington Chapter.  I think taking classes at different Chapters is really a great way to mix experiences and develop a greater understanding about the Red Cross culture.”  Dawn Kuras, Disaster Services Coordinator, added, “[Bisher] also recently joined our Material Support Services committee in an effort to help strengthen our Chapter’s preparedness and response capacities.”

                  In his professional career, Bisher is currently on active duty with the Navy and serves at the Pentagon on the Chief of Naval Operations staff as a Strategic Analyst for plans and policy.  He joined the Navy immediately after graduating from Bradley University in Illinois.  He went directly to flight school in Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Flight Officer.  Traveling with his job is one of the reasons Bisher chose to volunteer with the Red Cross.  “No matter where I move in my Navy career, there will almost always be a Red Cross Chapter that I can be a part of,” Bisher said.

                  And as though a career in the Navy and volunteering with the Red Cross isn’t enough, Bisher also tutors several days a week with Horton’s kids, a nonprofit that provides comprehensive services to the children of D.C.’s Ward 8.  Speaking of his volunteer work, Bisher says, “I think stepping outside yourself to be a part of something greater is a vital part of life.  Not being married or having kids myself to focus on, it’s really important for me to remember that sometimes there are more important things going on besides the trivialities of daily life.  Being a part of the Red Cross helps me remember the bigger picture.”

                  The Arlington County Chapter is very grateful to have Bisher on our team of volunteers.  When asked about Bisher’s volunteer service, Dawn Kuras stated, “Bisher’s leadership, flexibility, and dedication to the Red Cross mission make him an asset to our organization, and we’re excited to continue working with him in the future!”