The the Coastal Bend Chapter of the American Red Cross recently gathered to honor the contributions made by its volunteers. The Red Cross would be nothing without its volunteers as they make up 90% of the organization. Their hard work is what allows us to carry out our mission of alleviating human suffering and serving our communities. 

“Each day we are honored to work alongside an amazing group of selfless humanitarians that make up our Coastal Bend Chapter volunteer workforce,” said Angie Garcia, Executive Director for the Coastal Bend chapter. “Responding to and preparing communities for disasters, making homes safer from home fires and Service to Armed Forces your Coastal Bend Chapter volunteers do it all.  To say we are proud of our volunteers is an understatement, we are TGCR (Texas Gulf Coast Region) proud of our volunteers, because together we ARE your American Red Cross.”

The awards designated by the Coastal Bend Chapter are as follows: 

Service Hour Awards: 

250 Hours                                                     500 Hours 
Jessie Garcia-Luna                                         Leslie Smith 
Mary Ogedegbe                                             Dwayne Allison 
Navidad Luna                                                Jesus Herandez 
Kimberly Brasil                                             Cynthia Ramirez Flores 
Sharron Mungia                                             James Mulligan 
Patty Molina                                                  Jennifer Walker 
Art Brasil                                                        Lenor De la Garza 
Kenneth Patterson                                        Paula Cazamias 
Richard Barrett 
Milton Bradford 
Daniel Walker 
Gary Tucker 
Carlos R. Soliz 

1,000 Hours +
Artemis O’Conan
Betty Edwards 
Annette Gomez 
Janet Newman 
Edel Ruiseco 
Fernando Fernandez

10 Years of Service
Navidad Luna

5 Years of Service 
Stephanie Park

 Communications Award- The Communications Award recognizes an individual who has made a measurable impact to expand the media/marketing presence within their community.
Brenda Crawley

Disaster Preparedness Volunteer Award – The Disaster Preparedness Volunteer Award goes to someone who demonstrated exceptional initiative in identifying and/or meeting the Disaster Cycle Service’s preparedness mission.
Edel Ruiseco

Financial Development Volunteer Award- The Financial Development Volunteer Award recognized an individual who has contributed significantly toward reaching the fundraising goals over the past fiscal year.
Kent Young

Operational Support Volunteer Award- The Operational Support Volunteer Award recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding operational support to their local chapter whether through maintenance, fleet or administrative support.
Betty Edwards

Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer Award- The Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer Award recognizes an American Red Cross volunteer in a direct service, management, or leadership position who has made a measurable impact on the American Red Cross and the military customers and community we serve by strengthening or improving services to the military and their family members.
Cesare Giannetti

Volunteer Services Award- The Volunteer Services Award recognizes a dedicated volunteer whose work regarding volunteer recruitment, onboarding, or retention has significantly improved the volunteer experience in their local chapter and who serves in a VS role that goes above and beyond in their dedication to the mission. 
Dwayne Allison

Youth Award- The Youth Award is given to a Red Cross Club Volunteer who shows outstanding leadership and dedication. They also show inspirational enthusiasm in performing the Red Cross mission and engaging their peers in the mission.
Mercedes Garza

Youth Sponsor Award- The Youth Sponsor Award is given to a Red Cross Club Sponsor who shows outstanding leadership and dedication and inspirational enthusiasm in engaging youth in Red Cross Club activities.
Amanda DelaGarza

Rising Star Award Each chapter can have up to three recipients of the Rising Star awards. Although relatively new to the chapter, they stand out from the crowd. Leadership, Dedication, Passion for the mission is evident from the beginning of their service. Any line of service position qualifies as long as they go above and beyond in what they do.
Katherine Kinsel
Leslie Smith

Nuts & Bolts Awards Each Chapter can have up to three recipients for the Nuts-and-Bolts award. This goes to any volunteer who responds enthusiastically when needed and is consistent with their dedication and service. Any line of service position qualifies if they go above and beyond in what they do.
Carlos Soliz
Edel Ruiseco
Paula Cazamias

Volunteer Leadership Award- This is awarded to any volunteer who has sustained Superior and Outstanding Leadership service at the local or beyond-the-unit level with or on behalf of the American Red Cross. Epitomizes the 7 Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality) and 5 C’s (Compassion, Credible, Creative, Collaborative and Committed).
Sharon Bailey Murphy

Community Volunteer Leader Award- The Community Volunteer Leader Award recognizes an individual who serves as a current CVL, to the local Executive Director with the primary goal of building capacity to deliver the Red Cross mission. The CVL extends the reach of the ED by serving as the face of Red Cross in their local geographic location.
Betty Jo Wheeler

Guardian Partnership Award- The Guardian Partnership Award is awarded to companies who prevent or prepare for emergencies in an exemplary manner. These are companies that sponsor the Red Cross training for their employees.
Chief Javier Zapata, Robstown Fire Department 

Clara Barton Award- The Clara Barton Award is a meritorious service in Volunteer Leadership over a period of years. Given to a volunteer for a service in a number of Leadership positions held over a period of years. Epitomizes the 7 Fundamental Principles (Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality)and 5 C’s (Compassion, Credible, Creative, Collaborative and Committed).
Brenda Crawley

Photos from the event are available: Coastal Bend Awards 2025

To learn more about the work of the Coastal Bend chapter and how you can get involved, please visit: Coastal Bend Chapter | Texas Gulf Coast Region | American Red Cross.