4830+Community+Volunteer+Project

West Community Volunteer Opportunity  The purpose of the Red Cross is to provide disaster relief during local, state and national catastrophes. The Red Cross also helps to bring soldiers home during family emergencies. The local Red Cross office holds an annual Fall Fund Drive to generate much needed resources which help families in our community.   The writer became involved with the Red Cross by default. Her first community volunteer project, to help administer the H1N1 vaccine to the area high school students, was determined to be targeting the wrong populations (after the writer had taken the online course for preparation). The writer filled out the volunteer paperwork and passed the background check to be available for service at our local Red Cross. A few days later the Red Cross administrator contacted writer about helping with paper work on the Fall Fund Drive. On November 24, 2009 several hours were spent composing letters and preparing the letters for mailing. Thank you letters were sent to people who had already donated and request letters sent to people asking for donations. During this time spent at the Red Cross office the administrator asked this writer if she would be interested in becoming a Red Cross CPR instructor and teaching classes. The writer agreed this would be beneficial for both parties and is looking forward to becoming certified. The Red Cross has been an area of interest since knowing of a former instructor’s involvement in the organization. The instructor volunteered her services during national disasters. During the time spent at the Red Cross writer became aware of how much impact only a few hours of service can have on the person volunteering and hopefully, on those we try to reach. Although this project did not provide much cultural stimulation the writer believes she will have the opportunity for such upon becoming a CPR instructor.