Northeast Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight: Kathy Christian - February 2019

When asked what she does as a volunteer for the Red Cross, Kathy stated, “My mother always told me I was a great ‘Jack of all Trades’ – I guess that is what I do best for the Red Cross!” Kathy, who lives in Hawkins County, took disaster training around 10 years ago, when the office building was located on Wilcox. She was not able to begin volunteering right away, but several years later when there was a storm in Greene County she got her chance. She was working as an administrative assistant in the Greene County Red Cross office and was able to put her disaster training to work.

What does Kathy do as a volunteer? She indeed serves in a variety of capacities – on the Disaster Action Team responding to home fires, helping to obtain agreements for obtaining food from businesses during disasters, working in shelters, driving the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and volunteering in Disaster Spiritual Care.

Kathy has a husband, three children, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Kathy works with James Capital Management, the Kitchen of Hope, and in an administrative role with the Church Hill Medical Mission. Currently she is very busy with these positions and caring for her husband who has some temporary medical needs. Since she cannot volunteer as often as she would like, Kathy has recruited one of her daughters to respond to fire calls. Recruiting new volunteers is a vital role for current volunteers!

When Kathy was asked what advice she would give to new volunteers, she replied, “be open and willing to do anything. Be flexible, be a team player, and SMILE!" That is how Kathy qualified to be a “jack of all trades!”

There is always a need for additional volunteers with the local Red Cross. You can work in a variety of positions. Training is available for disaster and non-disaster positions. For more information on volunteering and training visit redcross.org. If you are a current volunteer, and would like additional information please contact Angela Morris by calling 423-765-4218 or emailing her at angela.morris@redcross.org