Southeast Tennessee June Volunteer of the Month - James Akers

James Akers

Congratulations to James Akers, the June Volunteer of the Month for American Red Cross of Southeast TN. James is a fairly new volunteer who started working with the Red Cross in January as a Disaster Cycle Services volunteer in Mass Care. His main responsibilities include reaching out to past shelters to update their information, calling facilities throughout our region to see if they are interested in being a shelter, and setting up times to do a shelter survey with that group. In his short time here, he has already been a vital part in setting up three YMCAs as shelters. His next goal is to put together at least three shelter teams in our chapter, and we have every confidence that he will be able to accomplish this and more.

James started volunteering at an early age. In high school, he had the opportunity to work with his church youth group on a Habitat for Humanity trip. James states that after that particular trip his love for volunteering expanded from there and he realized he had an interest in it. After volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, James had many other volunteer opportunities including working for a community kitchen, a school in the Apache reservation in Arizona, and disaster relief work in Miami. These are the experiences that brought him to us at the American Red Cross.

James is a great example of what it means to be a volunteer. His dedication is invaluable, and he is a constant and reliable volunteer in our Chattanooga office. One volunteer states, “James is always a pleasure to work with. He is willing to help in any area that he is needed. He has been instrumental in Disaster Services in sheltering and mass care.” James enjoys helping people in any circumstance and it is apparent to all staff and volunteers every day. We appreciate all you do for our community James!

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Thank you to our partners at Buffalo Wild Wings (120 Market St, Chattanooga, TN) for donating a gift card to our volunteer of the month, James Akers.