Red Cross chapter recognizes county volunteers at luncheon
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on September 14, 2007 2:00 PM
Wes Waller received the Mary Norwood Volunteer of the Year Award for the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross at its recognition luncheon Thursday.
Waller has been active with the Red Cross for more than 20 years, serving in a multitude of offices, including past board member. He also is a blood donor and has been the driving force behind the chapter's sports memorabilia auction fundraiser.
Health and safety awards were also presented during the banquet at Herman Park Center. Recipients of the new authorized providers awards were Mount Olive College, One To One With You, Britthaven, Harbor House, UniFirst, Andrea Boney, Carolina Residential Services, Krystal House, Fontaine Swinson, Gwen Howell-Adair, Cristy Barnes and Tarheel Home Health.
Dora Perry received the Left-Hand Award and Barbara Jordan received the Right-Hand Award for assisting with the health and safety program.
Emergency services awards were presented to Charles King, James Sanders, Joanne Peterson and Sara Frances.
Receiving blood services awards for holding four or more blood drives a year were Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, six drives that collected 559 units of blood, Wayne Memorial Hospital, eight drives and 622 units of blood, Berkeley Mall, six drives and 197 units of blood, Lowe's, six drives and 137 units of blood, Eureka United Methodist Church, four drives and 122 units of blood, Goldsboro Milling Co., four drives and 121 units of blood, Butterball, four drives and 289 units of blood, Oak Forest Church of Christ, four drives and 114 units of blood and Wayne Community College, four drives and 165 units of blood.
The high school traveling award went to Charles B. Aycock High School for holding three blood drives the past fiscal year and the first ever type O blood drive. The school drives collect a total of 312 units of blood.
Berkeley Mall was the recipient of the Margaret M. Moore blood drive trophy for businesses with 100 or fewer employees.
Wayne Memorial Hospital received the Arnold B. Edgerton blood drive trophy for businesses with 100 or more employees.
Media awards were presented to the Goldsboro News-Argus, Curtis Media Group, Mount Olive Tribune and PAC 10 TV.
During the luncheon, Director Chuck Waller took those attending on a look back through the chapter's 90-year history. The chapter was started in 1917 by a group of about a dozen Colonial Dames. It actually began as a national aid society, then switched its focus to the Red Cross and the war effort.
A slide presentation showed two little girls in Wayne County whose mother dressed them in Red Cross outfits and took them to the train station to greet incoming soldiers.
Waller noted that the chapter ran out of money during 1925 but kept on operating anyway, continuing to provide services to the community.
The chapter was housed in the community building in Goldsboro from 1925 until 1977. At that time, it moved to a donation house on North William Street and then to its current location at 600 N. George St.