Northeast Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight, Pat Barraclough - May 2017

This month our Volunteer Spotlight takes you to rural Washington County near Jonesborough to meet Pat Barraclough.  Pat says she is a “professional volunteer”.   Pat served as a Peace Corp Worker in the Philippine Islands after college.  She then married and enjoyed being a military wife in a number of locations.  She and her husband were always Red Cross blood donors everywhere they lived.  When they settled here several years ago, she was looking for an organization where they could volunteer - and we are lucky she selected the American Red Cross.

Pat enjoys being a member of the DAT team helping primarily with single family fires. Meeting a variety of individuals and providing assistance to families in time of great need is very satisfying for her.

Pat also serves as the lead volunteer for Service to Armed Forces in Northeast Tennessee, organizing and supporting activities for Veterans across the region.  She helps organize activities at the VA, particularly around holidays and for monthly birthday parties.  She represents the Red Cross on the Tri Cities Military Affairs Council which meets monthly to coordinate the work of many organizations supporting veterans in the community.  The Red Cross often provides canteen services at community veteran events.  Distribution of Holiday Cards for Veterans expands the reach of the Red Cross to touch veterans in Nursing Homes across the 13 counties of our Red Cross area.

Pat enjoys her work and would love to have additional help – 13 counties cover a wide area – one or two volunteers in each county would ensure we reach more vets in our area.  If you are interested in joining Pat by making the days brighter for veterans,  call  423-765-4222, email angela.morris@redcross.org, or go online to redcross.org/netn