Letter from Southeast Tennessee Executive Director, Julia Wright - February 2019

January is the month of adjustment; some breathing deep time to get a grip on going forward in a new year. February starts putting it all into action. The first emphasis of this month is the heart. Hugs, kisses, flowers, things wrapped in red bows and boxes.

For the Southeast Tennessee chapter of the Red Cross, this is all translated into appreciation for engagement. As with all resolutions, there is no effective result without follow-through. Our volunteers reward us when the call goes out. They reward themselves in every effort they make for our Red Cross by being educated, informed and knowing their best place in the response team.

Our mission this month is to renew existing commitments and make new ones. I encourage our volunteers to learn something you don't know or brush up on the things you've already learned. The word UPDATE is used in almost every area of our lives in this time. This is one more very important place it applies to everything we do.

Find opportunities in online courses on EDGE, take a training class at the chapter, sign up for a disaster relief shift, learn more about other departments at Red Cross, or take a life-saving CPR course. Volunteer to serve where you previously have not.

Above all, recruit your friends, family members and co-workers to volunteer. Renew your engagement in this month of hearts.