At our annual board meeting in August, the Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon听presented awards to three terrific volunteers for their exceptional service in the past听year.
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MIKE BOLTS, CALDWELL
Mike Bolts is the recipient of the Roy Eiguren Leadership Award and a nominee for the听National Presidential Service Award. Since joining us in May 2017, Mike has been a听vital biomed transportation specialist and a leader of our disaster services team.听The Roy Eiguren Leadership Award is given to the volunteer who demonstrates听exceptional performance or service in support of our mission. The award winner is also听nominated for our National Presidential Service Award each year.

Mike鈥檚 dedication is evident in his impressive record, completing 62 blood delivery听routes and covering numerous miles to ensure timely deliveries in 2024. Mike also led听our Meridian Sound the Alarm event and is helping plan the upcoming Nampa event.

In addition, he serves as a community volunteer leader, dedicating 561 hours last year to听presenting to service clubs and civil service leaders.

鈥淗is selflessness, leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission exemplify the听true spirit of volunteerism and service,鈥� Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon board听member Vanessa Fry said. 鈥淢ike's contributions have had a profound impact on our听organization and the communities we serve. His exceptional service and dedication听make him a highly deserving candidate for the 2024 National Presidential Service听Award and the Idaho and East Oregon Chapter鈥檚 Roy Eiguren Leadership Award.鈥�

TERESSA GRIFFIN, BOISE
Teressa Griffin received the Biomed Volunteer Excellence Award, which recognizes a听biomedical services volunteer who has shown exceptional performance or service in听support of our diverse mission.听Teressa had been a blood donor for most of her life and began donating platelets in听January 2022. The opportunity to help save lives would lead her to join the Red Cross.听As a blood donor ambassador, Teressa enhances donors鈥� experience by providing听support and encouragement. She engages with donors about our mission, helps schedule听future appointments, addresses immediate needs after donation and is a friendly face听throughout the donation process.

"Teressa is so fabulous. She's always willing to step up with a smile on her face.听 She听loves her work, and we are lucky enough to get to reap the benefits of her passion and听commitment to the Red Cross and her community,鈥� said Amanda Schmierer, volunteer听engagement representative. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor working with her."

Along with her work as a biomedical volunteer, Teressa is an active member on our听Service to the Armed Forces team and consistently takes on additional roles in both听Service to the Armed Forces and biomed in the Boise area. Service to the Armed Forces听colleagues say Teressa often steps up to address last-minute needs and has also served in听leadership positions within the Service to the Armed Forces program.
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KAREN SARE, REXBURG
Disaster cycle services volunteer Karen Sare received the Dane Watkins Exceptional听Volunteer Award, which honors a volunteer who exemplifies outstanding engagement听and dedication to our mission.听Since joining our mission in November 2017, Karen has been a cornerstone of the听luckywin, dedicating more than 1,000 volunteer hours last year alone. As a听member of both the region鈥檚 disaster health services team and the Eastern Idaho disaster听action team, she plays a crucial role in enhancing volunteer experiences and increasing听preparedness. Her efforts include involving nursing students in smoke alarm听installations, significantly advancing preparedness in Eastern Idaho.

鈥淜aren has also stepped up to be a hands-only CPR Instructor and is working to identify听partners where we can help share this lifesaving skill,鈥� said Scott O鈥機onnell, regional听disaster officer. 鈥淜aren is an asset not only to the East Idaho team, but also to our region听as a whole.鈥�