Annual Red Cross meeting held

By Trent Moore

trentm@cullmantimes.com

The Cullman County Chapter of the American Red Cross initiated a new panel of leaders Thursday at the agency’s annual meeting and volunteer appreciation luncheon.

The new board includes Chairman Brett Adams, Vice-chairman Gwen Parker, Second Vice-chairman Louise Moore, and Secretary Delores Hopkins.

Also on the board is Charles Baker, Burma Graves, Kathy McLeroy, Kay Thomas, Judy Bell and Cheryl Conover.

Adams said he is looking forward to his new position in the Red Cross.

“It’s a lot of responsibility but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “(Former chairmen) Bob (Robert Burns) and Shelby (Knight) have taken us a long way and I’m looking forward to continuing what they have done.”

In addition to announcing the new board of directors, more than 100 county residents and organizations were honored by the Red Cross for their contributions to the United Way agency.

“We’re here to honor everyone that has helped us this year,” Health & Safety Director Nancy Lee said.

Executive Director Kenneth Kilgo said the volunteers are the people that keep the Red Cross functioning and they deserve to be recognized.

“We are an organization that is volunteer-driven,” he said. “They are what makes this place go.”

As part of the day’s awards, Red Cross staff and board members Kenneth Kilgo, Bob Burns, Kathy McLeroy, Nancy Lee, Brett Adams, Burma Graves, Carlene Yearwood, Gwen Parker, Charles Baker, Delores Hopkins, Pat Bradford, Shelby Knight, Ken Brown, Kay Thomas, Louise Moore and June Haynes were all honored at the luncheon.

Volunteers Judy Bell, Judy Graham, Karen Kilgo, Tony Lee, Carlene Yearwood, Judy Smith, Doug and Mary Reese, Jimmy Young and React Team for Disaster, Jerry Smith, Jeanmarie Yearwood, Carlton Yearwood, Jack, Glenda, Morrow and Leah Doss (Family of the Year), Sam McCluskey, Jonathan New, Catherine Lotero, Melba Robinson, Ed Bailey, Daniel Wiley, Bobby Wiley, Cathy James, Cindy Purser and Sharla Sellers were also honored.

Youth Volunteers Megan Baker, Tonya Abercrombie, Sabrina Hunter, Tiffany Hunter, Valerie Hall, Corey Lovell, Nicholas Lovell, Destiny Bree New, Kristin Quick, Nicolette Kilgo, Tahuney Cleghorn, Zack Bell, Amanda Bell and Brooke Marks also received plaques for their services.

Blood Service Volunteers Dorothy Kendall, Geneva Duke, Ozell Shaw, Doug Reese and Mary Reese were also recognized.

Bart Absher, Terry Briscoe, Suzann Britton, Cathy James, Scott Bussey, Robert McCaw, Austin Caudle, James McMickens, Shannon Cheatwood, Katherine Morgan, Michael Fortenberry, Cindy Purser, Natalie Caudle, Ruth Anne Knight, Tony Lee, Nancy Lee and Kenneth Kilgo were among the Health & Safety Instructors honored.

School instructors Claborn Campbell of Cold Springs High School), Fairview High School’s Mark Moore, Good Hope High School’s Alan Dunkling, Hanceville High School’s Edward Burnham, Holly Pond High School’s James Michelfelder, Vinemont High School’s Mike Cupp and West Point High School’s Renee Willingham were honored.

Linda Jones, Bud Hopkins & Judy Bell, Carlene Yearwood, Terry Biscoe, Tony Lee, Austin Caudle, Carlene Yearwood, Carlene Yearwood, Shelby Knight, Delores Hopkins, Jack Doss and family and Tony Lee were named Special Volunteers of the Year.