Pasadena, Sunday May 22, 2011- Over a hundred Red Cross Volunteers from all over the San Gabriel Pomona Valley and Glendale area gathered together for their Volunteer Awards BBQ held at the beautiful SGPV chapter house. 39 Service Pins were given out by Ben Green and Mark Stapf.
The Clara Barton Award, the highest honor awarded by the American Red Cross was bestowed on Roxanne Schorbach who received a standing ovation as her name was announced by Ed Barlow, last year’s recipient. Greatly deserved, her devotion to the organization has reverberated through-out literally all departments as SGPV’s official photographer. As if that’s not enough, her tireless commitment as Regional DAT Chair and DAT Co-Chair/Team Leader has been truly appreciated by all. The Regional DAT Committee and the Los Angeles region have benefited tremendously by her thoughtful leadership alongside Rami Yassine. She responds to an incredible high number of DAT calls on the East side as Team Leader working side-by-side with SGPV,Glendale and Claremont DAT volunteers. For the day’s event she and her husband, ARC volunteer Ralph Schorbach set up a wonderful slide-show and photo board. Grant Schorbach was also on hand to help set up the audio-visual equipment and see his mom take home the Clara Barton.
Ben Green awarded Gary Glackin the CEO Award. The Volunteer Director of Operations oversees every inch of the mansion, its fleet of vehicles, and all facility operations. The sheer number of hours he spends on the job is without compare. His attention to detail and planning behind the scenes result in the smooth daily operation employees and volunteers alike enjoy. He always responds to “urgent” issues with a smile and a plan and everyone knows to keep some spare shoes to slip on because you will be part of the solution. In addition to his already 60+ hours a week in the building/vehicles, he also conducts the new volunteer orientations along with Roxanne Schorbach. Somebody get this guy a cape!
The following were named Volunteer of the Year:
Kevin Huang – Outstanding Youth Volunteer
Samantha Yin – Outstanding Youth First Aid Volunteer
Rami Yassine – Outstanding Response Volunteer
Vicky Balmot – Outstanding Development Volunteer
Danielle Mareschal – Outstanding International Services Volunteer
Daniel Rodriguez – Outstanding Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer
Pat Mulcahy – Outstanding First Aid Services Volunteer
Steve Tobia- Outstanding Corporate Volunteer
Service Pins marking each 5 year milestone of volunteer service were awarded. Bert Asklund received a standing ovation for his 70 years of service and spoke about his service during World War II as a medic. Abbe Keith had no comment when he collected his 50 year pin along with Arlene Britt who was grateful for her time serving ARC. Jeanie Edwards celebrated 40 years. Mark Stapf and Virgie Mateo were pinned with year 30….finally. Rich Baenen collected year 35 starting out as a Red Cross Youth..who knew? Sheila Brown was on hand to receive her Service Pins for year 25. Rain was in the forecast but must have been held off by the positive energy emitted by hundreds of years of collective service by these great volunteers. (To see the full list of Service Pin recipients, go to our Facebook page….. here)
Tags: Schorbach, SGPV, Volunteer Awards 2011, volunteers
