Two Local Red Cross Volunteers Receive National Presidential Award

By Laura McGuire, American Red Cross

Trevor Riggen, President, Humanitarian Services of the American Red Cross, Dave Nelson and Gail McGovern, CEO, President of the American Red Cross.

Trevor Riggen, President, Humanitarian Services of the American Red Cross, Linda Glusenkamp, Kathy Kollath and Gail McGovern, CEO, President of the American Red Cross.

Dave Nelson, from Eau Claire, WI, and Kathy Kollath, from Verona, WI, were awarded the 2024 Presidential Award of Excellence in the category of Humanitarian Services during celebrations held at American Red Cross-national headquarters in Washington, D.C. on April 10 and 11, 2024.

The Presidential Award for Excellence is presented to an individual or group of Red Cross employees or volunteers who demonstrate exceptional performance or service in support of the Red Cross multi-faceted mission. The nominee’s actions must go beyond meeting organizational goals and expectations and be exemplary of the highest level of commitment toward the successful delivery of the Red Cross mission.

“I am humbled and honored to receive the Red Cross President’s Award for the humanitarian services for the Red Cross and for all the clients we serve, said Nelson. “I do this work as I believe our communities need our involvement, so I choose to be involved to bring relief to those in need after disaster strikes.”

Nelson was recognized with the Presidential Award of Excellence for going above and beyond in his service to the Red Cross in 2022. When the conflict in Ukraine occurred, the need for Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) team members had increased significantly and a number of volunteers were asked to consider serving in this manner. Nelson was identified and recruited to serve overseas for our SAF team as a Regional Program Specialist/Site Lead in Bulgaria.

Nelson began his Red Cross volunteer service in 2012. Throughout his time with the Red Cross, Nelson has been “all in” with his volunteer activities and has served in many local, regional and national leadership roles.

Kollath has been a Red Cross volunteer since 2016 and works behind the scenes to support our Wisconsin Region Volunteer Services and the National Headquarters (NHQ) Volunteer Services team. Her position specifically supports the Volunteer Intake Processing Center (VIPC), a network of volunteers positioned across the country who work together to guide potential new volunteers through the intake process. Kollath is one of six volunteers throughout the country who received this team award.

In 2023, the American Red Cross received nearly 187,000 volunteer applications. All applications are processed through the VIPC. This team of six supports individuals who need assistance with completing their volunteer application. They take approximately 850 calls per month from new volunteers providing one on one support, the team averages 10,000 calls per year. They also logged 14,000 individualized emails to assist prospective volunteers with their applications.

“It is a great honor that we received this award,” said Kollath. “Being recognized and acknowledged is a true statement of a great organization that values helping others and embracing the volunteer process.”

The Red Cross of Wisconsin is honored to have Dave Nelson and Kathy Kollath on our team. They are a true reflection of the Red Cross mission – here at home and around the world.