Friday, June 16, 2017

Heart of Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight, Sam DiNicola - June 2017

Meet Sam DiNicola, the Heart of Tennessee Chapter volunteer spotlight for June 2017.

Sam was born and raised in Utica, New York with southern roots from his mother.  When the time came to go to college, he chose Vanderbilt.  After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he went on to earn a Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee.  For 37 years he worked for the Tennessee Department of Correction in various positions such as in the correctional office, administration, and lastly as the Superintendent of the Tennessee Correction Training Academy.  While in this last position he also took a position on the local Red Cross Board.  In June 2013, after retiring, he joined the Red Cross as a disaster action team volunteer and has been extremely busy ever since.

Sam keeps track of the disasters he has responded to for the Red Cross.  Since June 2013 he has helped at 147 disaster responses (averaging 4-5 a month), helping 463 people who were left homeless due to a disaster of some type.  These disasters have included single family home fires, apartment fires, tornadoes, and trees falling on houses.  He regularly responds to disasters in Coffee, Warren, Franklin, and Lincoln Counties and on occasion in Bedford, Marshall, and Rutherford Counties.

In addition to being Disaster Action Team (DAT) Captain, Sam also  fulfills duties with Disaster Cycle Services, and as Disaster Responder, and Home Fire Preparedness Campaign Member.

Sam is motivated by the satisfaction of helping those in need. He gives credit to the wonderful leadership of the Heart of Tennessee Chapter.

From the Heart of Tennessee Chapter: Thank you, Sam for the countless hours of helping the people of Middle Tennessee.

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