Three Decades of Volunteerism: Cindy Thompson

 By Kevin Sandell, American Red Cross communications volunteer 

Cindy Thompson (middle), stands with Dan Wirth and Jennifer Adrio outside of a mobile Emergency Operations Center during the last solar eclipse in August 2017 in Kentucky.

Lifelong Kentucky resident, Cindy Thompson, has volunteered with the American Red Cross for over three decades, and said she’s passionate about helping those in need. Over 90% of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross is conducted by volunteers, which brings many benefits, she said.

“Volunteering … offers numerous benefits, both for our community and for us as volunteers,” Cindy said. “We make a difference as volunteers; we directly impact people’s lives during emergencies. We also work on meaningful projects such as smoke alarm installations.”

Cindy serves as a volunteer Disaster Program Manager with the American Red Cross Western Kentucky Chapter, and her husband is also a Red Cross volunteer. She said the most interesting aspect of her volunteer work is “working with [individuals and families needing assistance],” but added that there’s a lot of “late-night computer work,” involved in her role.

“[I’ve gained] friendships with other Red Cross volunteers, first responders, Red Cross staff, and those who have been helped by the Red Cross,” she said.

Regional Disaster Cycle Services teams manage emergency response, relief, and recovery across geographical regions. Disaster Program Managers collaborate with other Red Cross staff and departments that support the DCS priorities and support the engagement and development of other volunteers. They serve as a vital link in the disaster response mission of the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross Western Kentucky Chapter is headquartered in Owensboro, Kentucky, and serves 20 Kentucky counties and five Illinois counties. The chapter also has field offices in Paducah, Hopkinsville, and Madisonville, all in Kentucky.

Cindy said when she’s not volunteering with the Red Cross, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, thrifting, and doing Zumba after work. She also serves as a volunteer clergywoman at Baptist Health Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky. She currently works for Edward Jones in Paducah.

The Western Kentucky Chapter falls under the Red Cross Kentucky Region. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, and relies on donations of time, money, and resources from individuals in the local community, corporate partners, and like-minded foundations to do its work.

Red Cross Services are provided throughout Kentucky thanks to the generous commitment of thousands of local volunteers, like Cindy.