Richard (Dick) Hughes is a great volunteer for the Calhoun County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Dick was nominated for the Volunteer of the Week award by staff member Angie Gresley who stated, "Dick is a very valuable asset to our local office and helps in many capacities. I simply do not know what we would do without him."
Dick has been volunteering here at the Red Cross for 11 years. He and his wife, Sharon, both started volunteering at Red Cross after being referred by the Volunteer and Information Services in Battle Creek. Sharon started off as a volunteer receptionist and helped with Blood Drives. Dick volunteered working as data entry for all areas in our chapter. Dick is solely responsible for all data management related to our 700 plus active volunteers. He has demonstrated his flexibility time and time again by becoming our Blood Drive Coordinator when the need was present. His last time in that position was when Katrina hit New Orleans. Our coordinator was sent to New Orleans as part of the National Guard and Dick jumped into action and helped when it was much needed!
I asked Dick what kept him coming back and volunteering for the Red Cross and he replied, "The people and volunteers who work for the Red Cross keep me coming back. It takes something special for these individuals to do what they do."
Dick is also involved in many other community activities. He is an active member of the Marshall United Methodist Church where he is coordinating a blood drive in September as the representative from his church. He and Sharon are both often ushers for their Sunday services. Marshall Mobile Meals is another community activity that they both work with, Sharon is the executive director. Twice a week Dick attends an Executive Club of "old coffee drinkers" as he described it to me. Dick is an active member of the Exchange Club of Marshall and rarely misses a meeting. Dick writes the newsletters for the weekly club meetings. Dick actively participates in the fundraiser's of the club.
Dick has been a great addition to our team here at the Red Cross. With Volunteers like him, we are able to work in our community and get out the mission of helping others prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Thank you, Mr. Richard Hughes, for your continued support and dedication to the American Red Cross.
