American Red Cross volunteers recognized for service at Fort Knox ceremony

Story and photos by Kevin Sandell, Communications Volunteer

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Over 20 volunteers who serve within the American Red Cross Kentucky Region were recognized for their service earlier this fall, during a lunchtime ceremony at Fort Knox, the sprawling U.S. Army base south of Louisville. Many of the recognized volunteers had served hundreds or even thousands of hours to Red Cross chapters throughout the state.

Fort Knox is home to the Warrior Warehouse, a function of the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program, and is a building where service members and their families can shop for donated household, clothing, and food items. The warehouse is also the location for the annual “Santa’s Workshop” on base that provides free, donated toys to children of U.S. service members stationed at Fort Knox during the holidays.

One volunteer, who was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for her 14-year service to the South Central Kentucky Chapter of the Red Cross, said the honor is humbling.

Deann Burns (center) received the Volunteer of the Year award at a
Red Cross volunteer recognition ceremony, Aug. 13, at Fort Knox, Ky.
Burns has served as a volunteer for 14 years
with the Red Cross Kentucky Region. 

“I don’t volunteer for the recognition, or for anticipation of an award, or to try and achieve some elusive number of volunteer hours that are tallied each month with the right to brag,” said Deann Burns, a spouse of a former soldier stationed at Fort Knox. “I volunteer to help someone that may be experiencing some challenges and who needs a little extra help, a kind word or a smile, and to make it a little easier for them to make it through the month.” 

During the ceremony, Burns received a silver platter engraved with her name from members of the American Red Cross Kentucky Region and later described her start with the organization. She began volunteering for the Red Cross in 1981 when her husband was stationed in Grafenwoehr, Germany. When she and her husband arrived at Fort Knox in 2010, there were no Red Cross-hosted blood drives on post, and she was initially asked to be a Blood Donor Ambassador to spearhead the program on base.

Five years later, she was asked to be the Santa’s Workshop Coordinator, where she directed volunteer recruitment, toy donations and coordination with off-base stores and charities, marketing and promotion efforts, and distributing toys to Fort Knox families. Her first year in the job, the Santa’s Workshop provided toys and books to over 200 military families. In the years since, the Santa’s Workshop program has grown in popularity, and nearly 300 children are helped every year.

Another volunteer, who achieved 10,956 hours of volunteer service to the Red Cross services on Fort Knox, said her extensive volunteerism came from being an “empty nester” and wanting to give back to the Red Cross.

Amy Grimm (center), a volunteer with the Red Cross at Fort Knox, Ky.,
earned nearly 11,000 hours of volunteer service, and was recognized
for her service during a volunteer ceremony, Aug. 13, at Fort Knox. 

“[Being recognized] is not what drives us to do what we do, but it's nice to be recognized,” said Amy Grimm, a Fort Knox volunteer and military spouse. “All my kids left at the same time and I just didn’t know what to do with my hands … It worked out perfectly that I could dive into this resource that I’m really trying to assist families with versus staying at home and doing nothing.”

Grimm added that she’s a firm believer of “doing something positive” with her time and that it “fills [my] soul.”

A Red Cross youth volunteer, Gabe Fulkerson, was recognized during the ceremony for his outstanding work with the International Humanitarian Law Youth Action Campaign. The Glendale, Kentucky native is a first-year aeronautics student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, and said he volunteers for multiple reasons.

“I volunteer with the Red Cross to improve myself as a person and because I enjoy helping people,” Fulkerson said.

The International Human Law Youth Action Campaign empowers high school and college-aged students to learn about laws that govern armed conflict, known as international humanitarian law. Youth volunteers educate the American public on humanitarian law through peer-to-peer education campaigns and training.

Fulkerson added that other students should volunteer with the Red Cross because doing so “shows leadership, cooperation, and compassion, all of which are skills colleges are looking for.”

Other volunteers recognized during the ceremony received Exceptional Volunteer Service Awards and Time-in-Service Awards for volunteering with Red Cross chapters across the state.

Red Cross volunteers from throughout the Kentucky Region were
recognized for exceptional volunteer service during a
recognition ceremony, Aug.13, at Fort Knox. 

A better night’s sleep for Fort Knox soldiers, courtesy of Tempur-Pedic and the American Red Cross

By Kevin Sandell, American Red Cross Volunteer

A good night's rest is a proven way to improve health and wellness. It’s especially imperative for U.S. service members as they serve and protect America at locations around the world.

Capt. Kyle Hinzman, commander of the 34th and 905th Military
Police Detachments on Fort Knox, secures a new mattress
atop a vehicle at the American Red Cross’ Warrior Warehouse
on post, Feb. 9. 

Tempur-Pedic and the American Red Cross Kentucky Region partnered to donate 80 new mattresses to U.S. service members and families stationed at Fort Knox, the large U.S. Army post south of Louisville. The in-kind donation from the Lexington, Ky.-based mattress manufacturer allowed soldiers and families in need to receive a new mattress at the Red Cross Warrior Warehouse on post. A group of military police soldiers stationed at Fort Knox even helped load the mattresses into each vehicle waiting in line.

For Yvonne Plough, the Red Cross’ Volunteer Engagement Lead at the Warrior Warehouse, seeing soldiers volunteer to help those in need is a tangible way to pay it forward. “[This is] soldiers helping soldiers. We all had a consideration at one point where we needed help, so when we receive help, we should give it forward,” Plough said.

Tempur-Pedic donated the queen-sized mattresses to the American Red Cross to distribute to service members or their families on Fort Knox, and has done so for several years, according to John Matthews, a Red Cross Senior Regional Program Specialist. The Red Cross works with unit chaplains and commanders to nominate enlisted service members E-6 and below in their units to receive a new mattress. Soldiers in the paygrades of E-1 to E-4 are junior enlisted service members, and soldiers in the paygrades of E-5 to E-6 are noncommissioned officers who typically manage junior enlisted service members in day-to-day operations. Each nominated soldier must verify they will not resell the mattresses, nor will they receive more than one mattress per year. 

Soldiers from the 34th and 905th Military Police Detachments
at Fort Knox, Ky. haul new mattresses from inside the
American Red Cross Warrior Warehouse, Feb. 9.

According to a Tempur-Pedic press release from January 2023, the company has donated more than 228,000 mattresses to charities since 2011, including veterans homes and military bases, homeless shelters, fire stations, and the American Red Cross.

A group of eight soldiers from the post’s 34th Military Police Detachment and the 905th Military Working Dog Detachment volunteered to help move the mattresses from inside the warehouse and load them into each waiting vehicle. For 1st Lt. Davis Johns, the Executive Officer for both detachments, the chance to volunteer with the Red Cross helps others understand their profession better.

“I feel like it’s part of our job being military police,” Johns said. “Our job is to protect and serve the people of the installation, and this is just one of the ways we can do that, even if it’s not in a law enforcement capacity.”

The commander of both detachments, Capt. Kyle Hinzman, said many of the detachments’ soldiers have volunteered with previous Red Cross volunteer opportunities on post, and relished the chance to do so again distributing mattresses. He said at least four soldiers in the unit have earned the military’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal in the last two years for their volunteerism efforts.

Soldiers with the 34th and 905th Military Police Detachments
at Fort Knox, Ky., load a mattress into a waiting vehicle during
 a free mattress distribution event at Fort Knox, Feb. 9.

“Doing something like this gives a [better] view that we can be part of positive support to the community as opposed to just showing up at someone’s house when they’re having a really bad day,” Hinzman said.

As she and the other soldiers loaded mattresses into vehicles, Staff Sgt. Joann Cassitty, an operations noncommissioned officer with the 34th MP Detachment, said she and her soldiers are “always ready to help.” She called the American Red Cross’ programs on Fort Knox “amazing,” and wished that every installation had comparable services.

By day’s end, all 80 mattresses were claimed - tied onto vehicle roofs or slid into trunks, much to the visible satisfaction of those receiving one.

Volunteer Appreciation Month: Amy Grimm

We all need reminders of the kindness in the world. For folks in Kentucky, you don’t have to look far. Just head on base at Fort Knox to see what Red Cross volunteers do for military families. Amy Grimm leads with a servant’s heart and wakes up with a mission in mind. She is the Helping Hands Warrior Warehouse Lead and Creator. Helping Hands is a Red Cross program available to provide food, household items, and clothing to assist military families with a financial need.

“I started volunteering with Red Cross 8 years ago, helping with Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and casework,” said Amy. She then had a brilliant idea that has changed lives. “The Helping Hands location had to move. I asked the Fort Knox football team to come help… I used to run football and baseball boosters,” said Amy. She spoke to the Red Cross SAF Region Director, May Giulitto. “I said ‘what do you think about the Airman’s Attic? It’s a thrift store for the young and listed… What do you think about starting one for the Army?”

May and Amy brainstormed about what to call the new location. The name “Warrior Warehouse” was born, and the journey began. “This could be our groundbreaking thing. I grabbed my volunteers and said, ‘hey let’s start this thing,” explained Amy. As people moved, this was a great place for them to drop donations of furniture and clothing. “It turns into blessings for someone else who doesn’t have anything,” said Amy.

Amy and her fellow Red Cross volunteers help sort and process donations. The last Thursday of the month, there’s a free shop for active-duty military members. The last Friday of the month is open to Veterans, retirees, and dependents. The last Saturday of the month is their “yard sale” open to the public for anyone who can get on base. The team accepts cash donations for the Friday and Saturday shops.

Any funds raised by the shops goes back to support the Fort Knox American Red Cross Soldier Support Program. This includes services like the Helping Hands Food Pantry, Santa’s Workshop, Candy Cane Lane, the Loan Closet, and more. “It feeds my soul because I can give back,” said Amy.

One family Amy helped was moving from Alaska. They had 3 kids, 2 dogs, an SUV, and a trailer. They wrecked in North Dakota. “On the Fort Knox spouses page, the wife posted… She said I can’t get ahold of my command. I need uniforms, boots, and some items for my kids,” said Amy. “Their SUV was totaled. They were not able to recover items… We were the in between. We had [the items] ready to go by the time they arrived. We set this family up for success even though they just had the worst week of their life.”

It's hard work and long days, but Amy and her team love what they do. “It’s what wakes us up. Every one of our volunteers gets up and says: who can I help today and who can I serve?” Amy emphasized that her husband is her main support and cheerleader. They have been together 14 years and he reminds her to “[volunteer] until it’s not fun anymore.”

When she takes breaks and steps away from base, Amy loves to travel and go on hikes. She recently hiked the Appalachian Trail. Thank you for your volunteerism, Amy! We know you have touched the lives of many. 

Interested in learning more about our SAF work on base? Go to redcross.org/kentucky. Follow the Fort Knox Warrior Warehouse Facebook group at: Fort Knox US WarriorWarehouse

Service to Armed Forces and Tiffany Circle Red Crossers Deliver Holiday Cheer at Fort Knox

Kentucky Tiffany Circle Chair, Luly (right), delivers holiday baskets
to Fort Knox. Santa’s Workshop volunteers Amy and Ali (left and center)
help families select toys throughout the season.

Santa’s elves are hard at work making sure families experience the joy of the holidays! Kentucky Tiffany Circle Chair, Luly (right), delivered 12 baskets to Fort Knox for their Santa’s Workshop. The mission of Santa’s Workshop is to provide toys to military families who are financially challenged during the holiday season. With a little assistance from workshop elves, soldiers and spouses shop for the best toys for their children.

Parents begin shopping at Santa’s Workshop around the first two weeks of December. Volunteers like Amy and Ali (left and center) assist parents with selecting toys for their children. We are thankful for the Tiffany Circle members who donated and assembled these baskets. Tiffany Circle is a community of women leaders who advance the Red Cross mission by engaging and embracing women locally, nationally and internationally.

Candy Cane Lane is also offered on base for children of military families assisted through Santa’s Workshop. This gives the children the opportunity to shop for gifts for their parents and siblings. Elves assist them with selecting and wrapping gift items. Volunteers are needed year-round to help shop for toys, restock and organize the workshop.

We are thankful for the many helping hands on base at Fort Knox and around the community. These programs give families a sense of comfort and ease. We know the memories made through the Santa’s Workshop and Candy Cane Lane programs will be cherished for a lifetime!

Learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteer.

Volunteer Appreciation Week: Margot Dudewicz

As part of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting some of the volunteers who work behind the scenes every day to help support the mission of the American Red Cross!

Margot Dudewicz is a Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteer in Fort Knox, KY who serves as the lead for SAF casework in Kentucky. She has been a volunteer for about three and a half years, and became a Red Cross volunteer while her family was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. 

“I called the Red Cross to start an emergency communication message when my husband was deployed to Iraq due to the death of his father,” said Margot. “The assistance I was provided by the Red Cross was truly comforting.

As the casework lead, she reaches out to volunteers who are interested in casework, trains new caseworkers on making family follow-up calls, approves monthly caseworker hours, and serves on the Fort Knox Advisory Board.

Margot finds it rewarding to touch base with a service member's family member who initiated a Red Cross emergency communication message and knowing that the service member will be able to travel home to be with their family.

“Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community,” said Margot. “As a SAF caseworker, it is an honor to serve military members, veterans, and their families.”

Our Red Cross volunteers are community heroes who give their time to help others. Join their ranks and be part of our lifesaving work! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find an opportunity near you.

Volunteer Appreciation Week: Alvin Barnes

As part of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting some of the volunteers who work behind the scenes every day to help support the mission of the American Red Cross!

Alvin Barnes is a Fort Knox Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteer who moved to the Radcliff, KY area from Chicago. He decided to volunteer because he wanted to do something different after working in truck driving.

 “I found my peace in helping others,” said Alvin. Now when he volunteers as a SAF Emergency Communication Caseworker, every day is a unique experience. As part of his volunteering, Alvin is responsible for following up on requests for assistance and researching aid agencies.

 

One of the most interesting parts of his job as a volunteer is getting to see how interconnected people really are in the world. “We have no clue about how connected we are until we are knee deep in it,” said Alvin.

 

For Alvin, volunteering means paying it forward, and he believes it’s important for others to volunteer as well. “We all must participate in plausible solutions or nothing gets done. True sacrifice is doing benevolence at your level and opportunity.”

 

When he’s not volunteering, Alvin enjoys reading, research and educating himself about topics that interest him.

Our Red Cross volunteers are community heroes who give their time to help others. Join their ranks and be part of our lifesaving work! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find an opportunity near you.

Volunteer Appreciation Week: Kaitlyn Harmon

Kaitlyn Harmon is a Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteer from Fort Knox, KY. She works as a SAF Emergency Communication Caseworker, and has been volunteering since September of 2020.

For Kaitlyn, the most interesting part of her job as a volunteer is being able to communicate with military families, especially if they are new to the military. She enjoys helping them understand the services the American Red Cross provides to military families, and providing relief about how to contact their service member if they have an emergency at home.

The most memorable thing she has experienced with the Red Cross was when she first started out volunteering. “All the other volunteers welcomed me and made me feel at home. Volunteering didn't feel like a job, it felt like we were a family.”

Our Red Cross volunteers are community heroes who give their time to help others. Join their ranks and be part of our lifesaving work! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find an opportunity near you.

93 Year Old Volunteer Walks in 12th Annual Run for the Red

On Saturday May 13th, the Services to Armed Forces branch located inside Fort Knox hosted a 5k/10k walk/run in honor of their 12th annual Run for The Red. Out of the 900 people who participated, one that stood out was Nebraska native and 3 year Red Cross volunteer, Evalyn Tenopir.

This will be Evalyn’s third 5k since turning 90. Now at the age of 93, with her walker in hand, Evalyn states she has, “always enjoyed walking and being active outdoors.” With her most recent 5k being Run for The Red, she mentioned she completed it alongside her daughter, daughter’s husband, and a few family friends. When asked if she would be walking more 5k walks in the future, she ended with “I didn’t see myself doing a 5k period, so we will see!”

If you would like to find out more about joining the Red Cross as a volunteer, please visit www.redcross.org/volunteer