CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Disasters, natural or not, can happen to anyone at any time. If they do, the American Red Cross steps in and provides help for families in need.
The organization hosted a luncheon at Marine Corps Air Station New River for its volunteers who go above and beyond in their duties to help service members in Marine Corps Installations–East March 22.
"Today was really an opportunity to thank the volunteers that have come forward since we started rebuilding our team here," said James Jarvis, the Service to the Armed Forces manager for American Red Cross Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, New River and the Cape Fear area chapter. "We just wanted to thank them for their service, their trust and confidence in our leadership team and most importantly being willing to work in this community to make it a better place."
The organization has brought on nearly 20 new volunteers every month since the beginning of the year, many of which spend time volunteering on Camp Lejeune, including the Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune and other locations throughout the installation.
"We wanted to get everyone together today and see who we can use as far as what they can volunteer,"
said Yancy Genao, the lead outreach for the American Red Cross and a volunteer since his retirement from the Marine Corps in 2015 after 20 years. "We just want to be able to place people where they want to be."
The volunteers learned other roles the American Red Cross offers in the community, from outreach specialists to youth services.
"I hope people realize that we are one American Red Cross, disasters that happen anywhere are still disasters," said Maribel Ayala, the Service to the Armed Forces regional program specialist. "I’m just very thankful that these volunteers showed up; we’re all very appreciative for what they do in the community."
The Camp Lejeune center is located at 1108 Birch Street. For more information about how the American Red Cross can help you or your family, go to www.redcross.org or call the center at 451-2173.