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John and Pat DiBattista of Boynton Beach stand proudly next to Mayor Jerry Taylor and chapter CEO Larry Casey
Residents of Atlantis, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta and West Palm Beach were commended by the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross as part of a recognition ceremony held for 13 local volunteers who traveled to Louisiana and Texas to assist with relief efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Chapter CEO Larry Casey arranged the program to emphasize the significance of volunteerism on behalf of the Red Cross. Alongside several local dignitaries, Casey acknowledged volunteers as the lifeline of the organization and thanked these selfless heroes for representing our community.
The volunteers were each given a certificate and pinned in front of an audience of local dignitaries, Red Cross staff, family members, friends and media. Community members at the event included Boynton Beach Mayor Jerry Taylor and his wife Dolores, Delray Beach Vice Mayor Woodie McDuffie and Arthur Bullard, Executive Assistant to West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel. A letter Boca Raton Mayor Susan Welchel wrote was read aloud, expressing her congratulations and deep appreciation to the many dedicated Red Cross volunteers honored in the ceremony, including Boca Raton resident Vanessa North-Dragojevic. During the program, Delray Beach Vice Mayor Woodie McDuffie passionately said “Bricks and mortar don’t build cities; people do,” recognizing the striking amount of hours and miles these volunteers logged while on assignment. Delray Beach resident and Red Cross volunteer Vicky Kuhl modestly acknowledged McDuffie’s great compliments. Kuhl said of the event, “I am thankful for the appreciation, but I did not volunteer for recognition. I volunteered for me and for the people in the Gulf affected by these disasters.” The humble group of volunteers was given an opportunity to discuss their inspiring experiences in Texas and Louisiana.
Altogether, the American Red Cross has opened 830 shelters/evacuation centers in hurricane-ravaged regions in response to Gustav and Ike. Nearly 21,000 Red Cross volunteers have helped serve approximately 15 million meals and snacks, so far. The volunteers have driven 526 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) and distributed thousands of clean-up and comfort kits in the area. Each volunteer representing the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter shared an important part in this enormous disaster response, reaching beyond the scope of our local communities and into towns where Red Cross clients were appreciative of the help and support.
In total, the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter has nearly 700 Disaster Services Human Resources-qualified volunteers who are eligible to respond to national disasters. The following 13 local volunteers were assigned to the Gulf typically for a period of two to three weeks and were recognized by the chapter for their participation: Gail Arnold, Palm Beach Gardens; Ned Arnold, Palm Beach Gardens; Steve Bayer, Boynton Beach; Richard Bonito, Tequesta; John DiBattista, Boynton Beach; Pat DiBattista, Boynton Beach; Stanley Feist, Boynton Beach; Vicky Kuhl, Delray Beach; Vanessa North-Dragojevic, Boca Raton; Dan Queener, Atlantis; Michael Ranieri, West Palm Beach; Peter Speckmann, West Palm Beach; and Chet Weber, West Palm Beach. To further the Red Cross along in its humanitarian mission through volunteering, please call (561) 833-7711 or visit www.redcross-pbc.org.
