Griffis receives WA State Youth Volunteer Honors

Adam Griffis, a student at Union High School in Vancouver, was named as a 2013 Top Youth Volunteer for Washington state by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Adam Griffis

The Prudential Spirit of community Awards is a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.  Jessica Chin of Seattle was also honored with the award.

Adam was nominated by the American Red Cross of Southwest Washington.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, now in its 18^th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Adam, a senior at UnionHigh School, oversees all American Red Cross youth activities in Southwest Washington as president of the area’s Red Cross Youth Council. His involvement with the Red Cross began four years ago when he volunteered to help with a blood drive at his school.

“I realized that students were running the show and making a difference,” Adam said.

Inspired by that experience, Adam decided he wanted to help all the region’s schools find a way to conduct their own blood drives. After being elected a member of the Red Cross youth council, he took on the role of chief blood drive organizer. He also started a Red Cross club at his school.

Over his four years as a youth volunteer, Adam has worked on projects ranging from fundraising for disaster services to teaching CPR and first aid to members of the community.

“I learned more and more about the Red Cross, and became more and more intrigued,” he continued. His dedication to the organization ultimately led to his election as president of the youth council.

As president, Adam spends an approximately ten hours each week planning events, interacting with school representatives, managing a web site, delegating tasks to other volunteers, processing paperwork, and overseeing all aspects of his region’s youth program.

“It’s a lot of work,” Adam remarked, “but it is highly rewarding. The great feeling of helping others is worth ten-fold the amount of effort you put in.”

As a State Honorees, Adam will receive $1000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. in early May. While in D.C, he’ll  join the other top honorees from each of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America’s top Youth Volunteers for 2013.

About the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs, and HandsOn Network affiliates, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award.

Nearly 5,000 honorees were reviewed by an independent judging panel which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, impact, and personal growth.

Jim Boline, SW Washington Red Cross Media Team

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Congratulations, Adam – We’re all very proud of you!

Red Cross Month: LaCenter Proclamation

March is Red Cross Month. 

Throughout the month, we’ll highlight cities throughout our region who are celebrating with us by signing March is Red Cross Month proclamations.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Our thanks to Mayor Jim Irish and the City of LaCenter for proclaiming March 2012 as American Red Cross Month. Serving the six-county region of SW Washington is a job we take very seriously. We couldn’t do it without your support!

2012 Real Heroes: Animal Rescue Hero

March is Red Cross Month. During this time of celebration, SW Washington Red Cross along with corporate sponsor Fred Meyer, is honoring Real Heros in our region. Today, we salute the recipient of the Animal Rescue Hero award which is sponsored by Corwin Beverage.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In September, Goldendale suffered a major fire, creating massive evacuations of not only people but animals.

Although the Red Cross had set up a shelter at the fairgrounds for humans, there was no place to shelter the countless homeless animals nor was there a plan how to evacuate animals from ranches and farms threatened by the rapidly spreading fire.

Animal lover Melody Bazzel volunteered to take on this overwhelming responsibility. Immediately, Melody secured a safe place at the fairgrounds for the animals in barns and fenced areas.

Melody coordinated evacuations, obtained donated food for each breed, and kept track of their owners all the while ensuring each animal was fed and watered daily.

At one time Melody had over 300 animals in her care, including: horses, llamas, alpacas, turkeys, chickens, ducks, goats, rabbits and sheep. Animals would have perished without Melody’s unique skills and unwavering passion for animals. Thank you, Melody!

A time for remembering

Today is Veteran’s Day. Here in the United States, it’s a solemn holiday when we remember US citizens who fought – and many who died – so we may continue to live free.

When I think of Veteran’s Day, I always remember my Dad.

He was an infantryman in the Rainbow Division who served in the European Theater during World War II. He saw action in France, Germany and Austria. He was wounded during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, and was honorably discharged in 1945.

For his service, he received the Purple Heart and, much later in his life, he was awarded the Bronze Star.

In 2001, Dad’s regiment (Company M 222^nd Infantry Regiment, 42^nd Infantry Rainbow Division) was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation “for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy.”

He never told us about the Presidential Unit Citation. We didn’t learn he’d even received notification about the commendation until after he’d died in 2003. He didn’t boast or brag about the medals or the honors. He just quietly accepted them - like so many others who have fought to protect the freedoms we, too often, take for granted.

And Dad, along with thousands of others who fought in European and Pacific Theaters during WWII, was a hero to so many people. Just as he’s still a hero to me.

Dad didn’t talk often about his time in the service. I think there were a lot of painful memories that he’d rather not have had.

He was, after all, a farm boy. His parents didn’t have much besides their land, each other and their children; life was simple. I suspect Dad never thought he’d venture outside ND, let alone outside the United States. But when his country called, he answered; like so many other men and women before and after him.

So today as we salute and honor our nation’s military personnel – past, present and future – I’m remembering my Dad.

Who is in your thoughts?

Sue Anderson
SW Washington Red Cross