Volunteer of the Month November 2015 – Laurel Cooper

Congratulations to Laurel Cooper for being selected as the November 2015 Volunteer of the Month by the American Red Cross.

“Laurel lives for the time of year when she can deploy, ready at a moment’s notice to take the ERV on a new adventure,” shares Wendy Savage, Red Cross Chapter Executive Director. Laurel has been part of the American Red Cross since January of 2006. During this time she has served in the Disaster Services Department as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member trained in Mass Care, Bulk Distribution/Sheltering/Feeding and is also the volunteer ERV (emergency response vehicle) Coordinator for her chapter. “Having things ready and in working order can take more time and attention than people think but, I enjoy knowing that things are well organized, maintained and available for use,” said Laurel.  This is a clear expression of her dedication.

As one of the “go to” people, Laurel is often the first to volunteer, offering administrative office support, providing leadership as a Home Fire Documenter or deploying to help people recover from disasters. Brian Cockerham, Disaster Program Manager says, “Laurel keeps our ERV in serviceable condition and is an essential part of our Home Fire Campaign.  She is an enormous help to our chapter sharing her dedication, trustworthiness, and leadership which have earned her the respect and confidence of her fellow volunteers and chapter staff.”

Laurel has a great appreciation for the support shown to the Red Cross by neighbors, family, friends and businesses. Even her employer kindly allows her to be available for deployments from Labor Day through Memorial Day each year. Laurel’s most memorable Red Cross moment was during a deployment to Tuscaloosa, AL after a tornado. “I was sent to a valley north of Tuscaloosa that was also hit.  For a week I was there helping people who had lost everything yet, on Friday night the community invited Red Cross members to join them for a fish fry! It was really great, we were there to help them and they fed us!” An unmeasurable amount of fulfillment comes from assisting others as a Red Cross volunteer. Laurel stated, “I’m not real sure why I became a Red Cross Volunteer but, I’m sure glad I did, I’ve learned so much! Becoming a Red Cross volunteer allowed me to help others and much more with my training”

Thank you, Laurel for proudly representing the Red Cross in your community!

Right now, the American Red Cross has many volunteer opportunities, including becoming a disaster responder, supporting military troops, and many more. Red Cross volunteers are united by their service and the feeling that in changing others’ lives, their lives are also changed. To learn more, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact the office of Volunteer Resources at volunteerwisconsin@redcross.org.