The Volunteer Spotlight is on Charlie Cranmer this month. Charlie came here from Hood River, Oregon where he was born and raised. He attended Chemeketa Community College where he studied hospitality and tourism. Looking for a fresh start, Charlie relocated to Murfreesboro in July of 2017. Charlie applied to become a Red Cross volunteer in October and officially began volunteering in November. The day he came for his interview was the day of a large apartment fire in Smyrna affecting 14 families. Before his interview, Charlie helped the disaster staff load the American Red Cross vehicles with supplies that were needed for the response to the apartment fire. That same night Charlie helped staff around the office with the monthly volunteer meeting. Charlie hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped.
Charlie mainly works with Disaster Cycle services helping in the office behind the scenes. Charlie helps where he is needed, it can be anywhere from administrative to transportation. Charlie is always willing to give a helping hand.
His favorite activity is meeting people in the office and helping whom is there. Charlie also went to culinary school. During the Thanksgiving season, he prepared a feast for those in the office. He wanted to thank everyone. When asked why he cooked the meal he said, “Thanksgiving and thanks giving.”
He imparts this wisdom for new volunteers “to engage a new volunteer, get them to do one thing - one fire call, install one alarm, one veterans event, and they’ll want more!”
Charlie marched in the Veterans’ Day Parade during his first official week. He was moved by the hooting, hollering and words of thanks from the people watching the parade as American Red Cross workers passed. As a new volunteer, Charlie accepted the thanks. Now, he wants to earn it.
The Heart of Tennessee Chapter thanks Charlie for his enthusiasm and willingness to do whatever is needed for the American Red Cross.
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