By Judith Weeks

Marty Westermann was recently honored with the volunteer-nominated Rising Star Award, an expression of the respect volunteers have for Marty! And Marty cares for the volunteers!

“When you’re working with a Red Cross volunteer you’re seeing a person who cares about taking care of other people. That’s just a beautiful thing. They constantly amaze me and teach me how to take care of our neighbors in need. I just watch them and learn from them.”

In March 2022, he volunteered for the Southeast Pennsylvania Region Red Cross, encouraged by his sister Lisa, a Blood Donor Ambassador. “My family’s in good shape, it was time for me to reach out and help somebody else .”

He began as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) Responder. In less than one year, Marty has taken a leadership role as Chester County DAT Coordinator and also volunteered for Mass Care Shelter/Feeding.

“One of my early experiences, I got a call at night for a house explosion in Pottstown. I was new and not qualified for anything. Debbie Tevlin, the DAT coordinator on site grabbed me and said ‘hey are you going to be OK? This is a pretty bad scene.’ Yes, I’ll be OK.”

“Watching Red Cross Volunteers taking care of those affected by the explosion was just unbelievable. It didn’t matter who they were or from what neighborhood, it was just taking care of a person on probably the worst day of their life. Just the comfort and care the volunteers provided to the people in Pottstown always stuck with me.”

Now he is Chester County DAT Coordinator leading DAT volunteers. Despite the small number of Red Cross response calls in Chester County, he helps volunteers find other activities. Marty volunteers for disaster response in Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County and Philadelphia.

Marty recently stepped up into the role of Mass Care Feeding Lead. His wife Karen, who has eagerly supported Marty’s volunteer efforts, recently became a herself! She has been in the restaurant and hotel business and is a perfect partner with Marty. Coming out of the COVID pandemic the Red Cross has to re-establish many partnerships with restaurants and different organizations. If there is a need for food and comfort in Southeast Pennsylvania, then these partnerships contribute to the Red Cross to take care of those in need.

“I love working with our volunteers. It’s heart-lifting to see people who care!” he shared.

Marty’s joy is being “Grandpop” and spending lots of time with grandson, Ronan. And he has another grandson on the way. Son Michael and wife are expecting a boy in June! Ronan’s mom is daughter Caitlin, a Critical Care Nurse and Educator at George Washington University Hospital.