The Houston 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. 

“We are so happy you chose to join us today as we celebrate YOU…our amazing volunteers…and all you do to support the mission of the Red Cross,” said Deborah Thompkins, Volunteer Engagement Representative for the Houston Chapter. 

The awards designated by the Houston Chapter are as follows: 

30 Years of Service 
Johnnie Robinson                                                                       

Departmental Awards: 

BioMedical Services Award- The BioMedical Services Award recognizes a volunteer who has made a measurable impact in serving the clients in Biomedical Services.
Drew Chiong. 

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

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.
Joe Doffing

The Disaster Response Award– The Disaster Response Award is given to a volunteer that demonstrated exceptional initiative in identifying and/or meeting the Disaster Cycle Service’s Response mission.
Mary Jane Kinnebrew

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.
John Royce

International Services Award -The International Services Award recognizes an individual, group or organization whose work exemplifies or inspires the humanitarian values of human dignity, respect, compassion and the protection and assistance implied in the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Preston Nguyen

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.
Anitra Johnson

Nursing Award -The Nursing Award recognizes annually a Volunteer Registered Nurse (RN) who has made an outstanding contribution to strengthening or improving the ARC’s programs and services.
Jan Umphrey

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.
Freddie Ladner

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. 
Debbie Wrenn

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.
Melody Ziaee

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.
Matthew Ober

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.
Qamar Sayyed
Nakul Sampangirama
Jon Nichols

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.
Jacob Balderas
Kristin Tsai
Karla Obi

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).
Kristin Tsai

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.
Cynthia Galeano

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.
Juan Carlos Hernandez Wocker

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).
Jacob Balderas

Regional Volunteer of the Year Award– The Regional Volunteer of the Year award is for meritorious service in Volunteer Leadership over a period of years supporting the efforts of the entire Texas Gulf Coast Region.  The Volunteer epitomizes the 7 Fundamental Principles and the 5 C’s and must have served in more than one role and previously received the Clara Barton award.
Debbie Frizzell

Photos from the event are available: Houston Volunteer Appreciation | May 2025 | Flickr

To learn more about the work of the Houston chapter and how you can get involved, please visit: Houston Chapter | American Red Cross