Administrative Services Volunteer of the Year – Shannon Kortman

Shannon Kortman came to us through another local volunteer organization in October of 2009 and has since become a mainstay of our front office staff. Known through out our entire organization, Shannon is one of the most publicly seen faces in all our staff and volunteers. He has helped manage our web presence in the past and spent hundreds of hours on the phone and in person promoting the American Red Cross. His graduation from West Ottawa High School has prompted him to begin his college search. His pursuit of a communications degree focusing in customer service would allow him to follow his passion for helping people. A vibrant and committed youth, Shannon has been an indispensable member of our team and a part of our family.

Emergency Services Volunteer of the Year – Dave Schmitt

Dave Schmitt came to Holland, Michigan three years ago, having grandchildren and family in the area. A long time volunteer, he began looking for local volunteering opportunities which led him to the Red Cross. A friend already volunteering as a Disaster Action Team member, introduced him to our staff and signed him right up! 31 Years at Ford Motor company caused an aversion to paperwork which led Dave, under the direction of Dan Goodwin, to become involved in the establishment of the chapter’s Canteening Unit servicing the needs of first responder’s to fires and local disasters with cold drinks and snack bars in the summer and hot drinks and snack bars in the winter when they are most in need.  Mr. Schmitt has been an integral member of our team, on call at all hours of the day and night, ready to deploy anytime.

He is the true definition of being Red Cross ready.

Services to the Armed Forces Volunteer of the Year – Judy Petersen

Judith has been an American Red Cross volunteer for approximately 30 years, the last three years of which she has served outstandingly as a member of the Ottawa County Chapter.  Whether operating as a Service to the Armed Forces caseworker, Disaster Action Team member, Emergency Services instructor, or Community Disaster Education Coordinator she accomplished her duties with unsurpassed skill and efficiency. Judith volunteered over 4,000 hours as a caseworker for Service to the Armed Forces.  This federally mandated program provides emergency-related services (messages concerning serious illness, births, deaths, and urgent financial needs) to military members and their families.  Judith has been instrumental in our chapter’s providing emergency communications for 119 military families in Ottawa County. 

The service she provided is a significant component of our nation’s support for those who defend us, helping to ease the stress unique to the families of military members.   

Health and Safety Services Volunteer of the Year – Beth Capizzi

Beth Capizzi joined the Health & Safety team in 2004 where she initially taught community classes at the chapter house while attending Hope College. On more than one occasion Beth would travel from Ludington through inclement weather or late at night to be available to teach classes for the Red Cross.

Becoming a mother did not slow her down, when several times she has changed her family schedule in order to teach a class.  She is instrumental in donating her time and ability in our operations at Tulip Time and also CPR Saturday, our largest health and safety training event. We have seen this volunteer grow as an instructor and become part of our veteran team. Mrs. Capizzi knows the true meaning of volunteering and it is with pride we recognize her as the 2010  Health & Safety Volunteer of the Year.

Youth Services Volunteer of the Year – Larry Figueroa

Larry joined the Ottawa County Red Cross board in 2007 just before graduating from high  school and has continued to volunteer through his (current) senior year at Hope College. Since joining the board, he has served on the finance committee and will soon begin serving as secretary since recently being elected to a new three year term. Finishing his degrees in both music and accounting, Larry was able to spend his summer in July studying and performing Jazz with three other students from Hope College as part of a group underwritten by the Asia Network foundation.

We look forward to where Larry’s future will take him next!

Chapter Volunteer of the Year 2010 – Mary Jellema

Mary Jellema spent 38 years educating the men and women of Hope college and enriching their lives.  Her retirement prompted her to consider serving the community more directly, which led her to seek Red Cross classes and eventually begin to be involved with our local blood drives. As the tragedy of hurricane Katrina bore down on the South, she decided to part of the Red Cross effort to aid the victims. Upon her return, she became part of our DAT team as temporary leadership. This temporary leadership has lasted four years and we hope that she continues to be such an integral part of team. This role takes her to sites of home fires and flooding during blizzards and heat waves alike in the wee hours of the morning, when our clients need us the most. Every emergency call for assistance is unique, and it calls for sensitive listening to client concern and need. Mary’s emphasis on continuing education, the team approach, cooperation and support among team members, emphasis on professionalism, and the high regard for the emergency needs of the clients we serve shows her commitment to the mission of the Red Cross and exemplifies her in the precedence set forth by Clara Barton.