Northeast Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight, Jamie Ketron - November 2017

Jerri Calton, former Red Cross staff member,
and Jamie Ketron, in her early days as
a Red Cross volunteer

Twenty nine years ago 6th grader Jamie Ketron, at age 11, became a Red Cross volunteer.  Jamie tells us a brochure at her school gave her lots of options for places to volunteer; she selected the Red Cross, called the office, and a few weeks later was a volunteer receptionist.  Two things stand out in her memories of those first days as a Red Crosser.  First the clients applying for financial assistance, asking her to help them fill out forms.  They told her they did not have their glasses but in reality most could not read – she was amazed and so glad she could help.  Jamie also recalls helping the Red Cross accountant, Jerri Ball, with several tasks – now a professional accountant – this was her first experience in her chosen field of work.  Jamie continued her volunteer receptionist duties for several summers and also branched into numerous other volunteer roles.

When asked about her favorite volunteer jobs over the next 29 years – Jamie thinks she did something every year even when in college – she had many experiences -serving in disaster shelters, filling the role of victim at simulated disasters, helping with the Ride for the Red, and serving as a member of our Board of Directors.

Professionally, Jamie works for an accounting firm from an office in Blountville.  She is usually in her office from 8-5 and performs a variety of accounting functions for several different clients. She and her husband also own 200 acre S&K Farm near Bluff City.  They breed and raise cattle.  This year they will sell 95 “babies” when they reach the age of 9 months.  With Jamie and her husband both filling full time jobs in addition to their work at S&K Farm – they are two busy people.

When asked about her hopes for the local Red Cross; Jamie says she feels the public does not understand all the services that are available to the public.  “The Red Cross is so much more than blood donations and CPR classes.  There are disaster assistance for home fires, casework for military service families, and various other training and educational classes.”   Jamie says one of the things that continues to amaze her is the diversity of our local volunteers.  When she attends the “all-volunteer” meetings, Jamie says the variety of walks of life and geographic areas represented are so varied.  And while some long time volunteers are always at these meetings; almost every month there is someone there for the first time.

To join Jamie and many others as a Red Cross volunteer, contact Angela Morris at 423-765-4218 or angela.morris@redcross.org.