Meet Jackie and Tony Hewitt.
When Tony arrived in Kingsport in 1999 as director of commercial development and community relations for Holston Army Ammunition Plant, he found that he was the landlord for the Red Cross Chapter on Wilcox Drive. It was time to renegotiate the 50-year lease so Tony got to know the chapter well. He became a financial contributor and participated in what he calls, “one of the best charity golf tournaments in the Tri-Cities.”
Due to the age of the Wilcox Drive building (built during World War II for temporary use), it became necessary for the local Red Cross chapter to move. This brought forth the second half of the Hewitt team. Jackie Hewitt became acquainted with the Red Cross through her work. For 17 years she has been a Commercial Realtor for TCI Group Jerry Petzoldt Agency LLC. The National Red Cross engaged the Pentzoldt Firm to search for a new location for our chapter. As a result, Jackie was instrumental in helping find our current location. She became a volunteer in 2013.
Jackie says she got to know Glenda and the team and found them so welcoming and friendly she felt drawn to helping and became a Red Cross volunteer. “I was asked to be a Board Member and became involved in helping with fire alarm installations, Run for the Red, and the humanitarian breakfast,” she said. “I enjoy all the volunteer events because of the camaraderie. Some jobs are harder work than others, but I always feel I am helping make a difference in someone's life, and that is very fulfilling."
Tony says as he moved towards retirement in 2016, Jackie invited him to an all-volunteer meeting where the volunteers, recently returned from the Gatlinburg fires, shared their experiences. “I was so impressed with their stories and thought I could do that,” he added. “Soon after the meeting, I rekindled my friendship with Glenda, and ‘the rest is history’ as they say. Until that meeting in 2016, I don’t think I had any appreciation of how much the Red Cross does.”
“I had heady visions of deployment and helping disaster victims; but a cancer diagnosis in early 2017 put a stop to deploying. Though I am now healthy, 12-hour shifts and medications makes me a potential liability rather than a help. I started assisting on local fire calls and installing smoke alarms. I have also done local disaster damage assessment. In July 2018 I took responsibility for the Home Fire Safety Program (smoke alarms) and find it is a most rewarding activity. Lifting people’s spirits and making them feel safer by putting fire detection in their homes must be one of the better jobs and I love the people we meet.”
The Hewitts do have a life outside their Red Cross volunteer work. Tony is on the golf course when the weather is good, and when the weather is bad he is at home reading or doing his duties as a “house husband.” Jackie continues her work as a commercial realtor. In her spare time she takes exercise classes at the YMCA, knits, takes quilting classes and enjoys cooking.
When asked how they feel about being Red Cross volunteers, Tony stated, “Getting involved with the Red Cross is rewarding in so many ways, from the care and kindness that is shown to others and the gratitude that comes back to us, the friendships you make with like-minded people and with every meeting there is food!” Jackie commented, “I would encourage anyone to go to the Red Cross who is looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity. The staff and all the volunteers are so helpful and grateful for all you do, I have never been a part of a non-profit where I felt more valued.”
The local Red Cross is so pleased to have the Hewitts as a part of the Red Cross family. They played significant roles in the history of our location, but primarily for their role in the continuing work in support of the Red Cross mission. Sometimes volunteers walk in the door asking to volunteer. Other times, they walk in the door in a professional capacity and unexpectedly turn into committed volunteer leaders.
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.
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