By Patrick Kobol

The Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) Team would like to congratulate a few of its volunteers for their ongoing dedication and accomplishments. These individuals exemplify one or more of the Red Cross’s 5 C’s: Compassionate, Collaborative, Creative, Credible and Committed. Each month, DCS recognizes volunteers who are members of one of their specialized teams.

For the month of April , DCS recognized volunteers who are members of the Disaster Workforce Engagement (DWE) team. Hats off to the following volunteers:

Mary Hughes is Collaborative – As a 10-year veteran of the Red Cross, Mary embodies the Collaborative quality. She brought her extensive Red Cross knowledge and skills to SEPA from the Los Angeles Region in October 2021 and almost immediately stepped into the role of DCS Regional Deployment Lead. Mary leads the deployment team to ensure the Door is constantly monitored for deployment opportunities. She collaborates with the DWE Manager, divisional resources and numerous local volunteers to ensure the responders being deployed are set up for success. In March of this year, Mary’s collaborative skills and dedication were recognized, and she was selected for a new National role – Resource Mobilization & Support (RMS) – Mission Card Specialist.

Jacyln Judson is Compassionate – Jaclyn has been with the Red Cross since July 2021, and became the Bucks County DWE Lead in October of the same year. In this role, and in the numerous other positions she holds, she personifies Compassion. Jaclyn builds relationships with fellow volunteers, clients, and community members. She frequently offers to assist staff with initiatives, including sitting on numerous interview panels, and her extensive corporate experience has been an asset! Since January of this year, Jaclyn has been doing a tremendous job of helping the Bucks County team thrive in the absence of a Disaster Program Manager. Her willingness to take on the additional responsibilities is truly appreciated!

Gene Maxey is Committed – Gene personifies the attribute of being Committed. He is dedicated to supporting prospective and established volunteers. Gene gladly shares his vast Red Cross and corporate knowledge to support anyone in SEPA with the goal of helping them succeed. As the DWE Lead for Philadelphia, Gene ensures that volunteers have the appropriate training assigned to them and that their Volunteer Connection profiles are accurate. Gene also demonstrates his commitment to the Red Cross mission by taking numerous Duty Officer shifts, and by responding to voluminous DAT responses in all the counties. He frequently offers suggestions for projects and to assist with initiatives.

Diane Minanno is Collaborative – Diane exemplifies the trait of being Collaborative. She is involved in no less than 12 activities, partnering with numerous colleagues to achieve the shared goals of each activity. Diane utilizes her extensive Red Cross knowledge, and her position as the Montgomery County DWE Lead, to mentor volunteers. Her investment in her peers helps them to have a fulfilling experience. Diane’s collaborative efforts set the standard for others to replicate!

Elizabeth Stinson is Collaborative – Elizabeth has been an integral part of our region since she joined in 2017. She generously shares the wealth of knowledge she has gained through her Red Cross career with her fellow volunteers and staff. Elizabeth has held numerous positions and has had a positive impact on the lives of countless clients. In addition to co-chairing the 2022 Deployment Recognition Event, she was instrumental in creating the Hats Off recognition program. While Elizabeth models all 5 of the “C’s,” in her role as Regional Recognition & Appreciation Lead, she exemplifies Collaborative. She celebrates the accomplishments of the award recipients and lets them know how much their efforts are appreciated. She personifies the values of the Red Cross!