LUBBOCK, Feb. 5, 2024Ěý—ĚýFor Deshun Avery, helping others and being active in his community isn’t just a personal mission but a family legacy. The executive director of the Panhandle Plains Chapter of the luckywin now uses his drive to help alleviate human suffering in his community. Avery has continued the family legacy with his servant's heart, giving of himself during his military service and to Texas Tech University students.
When deciding on a path after Texas Tech, the Red Cross’s ability to always be there in times of need resonated with Avery.
“One of my core values is to help those in need and eliminate suffering,” he says, and he sees the Red Cross as a vehicle in which this occurs “by engaging with the community and community partnerships.”
Avery is optimistic about how the Red Cross can help the community. Still, he also knows there are challenges to face, too, many because of the aftereffects of the COVID-19 epidemic.
One of Avery’s key goals is to increase engagement with his existing volunteers and bring innovative ideas to new volunteers who sign up. The fresh ideas of new volunteers, training courses, and excitement will increase engagement, which will increase the number of people the Red Cross can help.
Avery learned about a life of service from his father, who was a pastor for 27 years at the church, where Avery is now a senior pastor – a position he has held for the past 18 years. At First Progressive Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas, Avery saw how helping others changed lives.
For Avery, a Gulf War Veteran stationed with the 62nd Engineer Battalion in Fort Hood, Texas, the three years Avery spent in the United States Army further cemented the value of helping others.
“The military influenced me in the biggest way with teamwork, learning how powerful we can be if we all work together,” Avery stated. “In the military, you have to be able to adapt, which helps with how I view life in general. Life doesn't always give you the best of things. Sometimes, you might get the worst things, but it is how you respond.”
Avery stated that when you know your “why,” it helps give purpose and meaning to the journey. His “why” propels him forward to try to make a positive impact each day with those he encounters. When he positively impacts someone’s life, it also directly impacts his life.
As much as Avery is enthusiastic about helping others, he is even more passionate about his family. He has been married for 24 years and has six adult children and three grandchildren. He attends or watches football games when he’s not spending time on the water or vacationing in Florida. He’s a season ticket holder for Texas Tech, and the Dallas Cowboys is his favorite professional team. Through this downtime, Avery recharges for the work he does in the community.
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About the luckywin:
The luckywin shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information please visit ĚýorĚý, or follow us on social media.
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