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Volunteers Still Making a Difference
By KATHERINE HEERBRANDT
News-Post Staff
The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, left many Americans with a sense of
frustration and helplessness. As they watched the gruesome story unfold, many
decided to take action. After an initial wave of enthusiasm, volunteerism
leveled off. Others inspired by the events of Sept. 11 found great rewards in
their efforts and have continued their work. Still others will have an
opportunity to become directly involved in homeland security through a grant
procured by Volunteer Frederick.
Volunteer Frederick, a clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities, reported an
increase in the number of visits to its Web site. "Each month since last
September, we have seen a steady increase," said director Lisa Orr. Last August
the site recorded 673 visits. This past July the number was 1,880.
In July the organization was awarded a grant from the federal government to
recruit 550 senior volunteers to assist in homeland security efforts. Volunteer
Frederick hopes those people who have expressed an interest will come forward
for this program, which will not get under way until January 2003.
The Frederick County Chapter of the American Red Cross had 150 people at its
doors after Sept. 11, 2001. Of those 150 initial volunteers, the chapter has
retained 30, according to director Leah Crace.
Those who have stuck with it have found a way not only to heal but to make a
difference. In the past year Anne Tubiolo, a film producer and director with the
National Park Service, said she signed up with the Red Cross to be of service to
people locally and nationally who need assistance during a disaster. "From
providing financial assistance to simply a hug, the experience has been very
humbling and rewarding," said Ms. Tubiolo.
Alan Imhoff, a board member at Volunteer Frederick, believes Sept. 11 was a
wake-up call for many citizens. "They found there was a part of life they were
not addressing, whether it was volunteering for their children's school or their
Boy Scout troop, or donating blood — they found there is more to life than job
and family," he said.
Many volunteers, like Peggy Magnanelli, have thought about volunteering for
years. When her children were younger, she was a stay-at-home mom. Volunteer
work was her outlet for adult interaction. Years later, her children are almost
grown and she felt the need to do something.
"After 9/11, volunteering just seemed the right thing to do. I was helpless and
angry," she said. She tried to give blood, but Frederick Memorial Hospital had
more donors than they could handle. She went to the Red Cross and found the same
situation. She decided to wait until the crowds quelled. The answer came to her
when she saw a posting for an introductory course in disaster services at the
Red Cross. After the first course she was hooked and continued her training. Now
she is co-coordinator for mass care. In the event of a disaster, Ms. Magnanelli
can help set up food and shelter for people. She is also trained in damage
assessment, assisting public service workers by finding out what people need
after a disaster.
Volunteers in the aftermath of a disaster can assist in a variety of ways, as
Crystal Mitchell of Frederick discovered shortly after Sept. 11. She traveled to
New York with the Southern Baptist Disaster Team where she worked 12-hour shifts
for five days, providing meals for police officers. "I was not on the front
lines — we worked behind the scenes," she said.
The workers also lent an ear, she said, for police officers who just wanted to
tell their stories about lost comrades, family and friends. "The most profound
thing I heard was an officer who told me his days consisted of getting up, going
to work, going to a funeral, then home to bed to start all over the next day,"
she said.
Ms. Mitchell had contacted the Red Cross about going to New York when she
thought the Southern Baptist group might not be going. Afterward, she said, she
started taking courses at the Red Cross.
"I can't put a finger on exactly why, but I just felt driven to help," she said.
Her family is following her example. Her son's Eagle Scout project was to outfit
a first response disaster relief unit for the Southern Baptist Convention; he
took the outfitted trailer to La Plata last April after a tornado swept the
town. Now he is a Red Cross volunteer active in the youth organization.
"We make that commitment in our family. Fires don't discriminate. It could be
me, it could be you, none of us know. I would hate to think that no one would be
there for me if I needed help," said Ms. Mitchell.
Disaster Action Teams are cross trained and respond to all manner of disasters,
including floods, fires, tornados, hurricanes and terrorism. The Frederick
County chapter was chosen as the pilot location for a new course, Weapons of
Mass Destruction/Terrorism Overview, covering the responsibilities of the Red
Cross during such a crisis.
Homeland security, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction are all relatively
new terms in volunteer circles. The Corporation for National and Community
Service awarded federal grants to involve citizen volunteers in homeland
security efforts, which include public safety, public health, emergency response
and disaster preparedness.
Volunteer Frederick was one of three organizations in Maryland to receive a
grant. The $115,00 grant is aimed at recruiting seniors, age 55 and over, in a
variety of homeland security-related activities through community non-profit
agencies. Funding for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) begins in
October when a project manager is hired.
Even though the program is not yet off the ground, Alan Imhoff will be among the
first to volunteer. A member of the Homeland Security group commissioned by
former mayor Jim Grimes, Mr. Imhoff said his involvement in RSVP is a natural
fit. "With my military training and public service activities, this was an
automatic for me," he said.
"On Sept. 11, a part of our lives was taken away from us, abruptly and
dramatically. This (volunteering) is a way of getting it back," he said.
Staff photo by Skip Lawrence
Caption: American Red Cross disaster team trainer Judy Peterson, left, poses
outside the organization's office in Walkersville with volunteers, from left,
Crystal Mitchell, Anne Tubiolo and Peggy Magnanelli. After Sept. 11, 2001,
about 150 people signed up as volunteers. About 30 of those are still active.
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Volunteers Still Making a Difference
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