Volunteer Spotlight
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Making a Difference Jim Gattis recently received one of Austin CERT's “Making A Difference” awards for his volunteer work with the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department Flu Clinics and Austin CERT. Jim has been an active Austin CERT member since 2006 when he volunteered during the Marble Falls flood. Residents lost their entire water supply for 10 days, Jim said. The water volunteers delivered was the only clean water source the residents had. In 2005, during Hurricane Katrina, Jim was one of hundreds of Austin residents who participated in the massive volunteer effort at the Austin Convention Center. He worked in the triage center where patients evacuated from Galveston hospitals were evaluated. "It was interesting and quite moving on my part to see how EMS and hospital workers were able to triage patients. You don't realize how exhausting it (shelter volunteering) is until it's over, then you about collapse," he said. Along with his volunteer work, Jim enjoys fishing, hunting and being outdoors. He and Barbara, his high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, enjoy traveling the country to visit their children and 10 grandchildren. One grand daughter, Madison, is currently in boot camp with the National Guard. And his grandson, Travis, a medevac helicopter pilot, has completed three tours in Iraq. "When you have grandchildren in the military it shows you how important it is to volunteer and do what you can." This summer Jim and Barbara will be heading to Hawaii to visit name and meet their newest family member, a great grandchild, Ella, born last May. Jim's commitment to volunteer work is based on his philosophy that there isn't always a fire that needs to be fought, he said, but you can always be preparing for when the next disaster does happen. "I like to help keep the community rolling along,” he said.
Disaster Preparedness Volunteer Last May Wyndy Penner began volunteering with Austin HSEM as a one-hour preparedness presenter. Her volunteer work sends her throughout the Austin area to speak with groups and organization about being "Disaster Ready", and how they can ensure a safer home for their family. Wyndy feels she's been drawn to volunteering and helping others in needs since childhood. In 1989, disaster hit close to home when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck a few miles from her home in Santa Cruz County, California and she volunteered as part of the disaster relief. "Being part of a volunteer effort can be very impactful." Wyndy said. During the Hurricane Katrina evacuation, Wyndy spent 20-hour days days volunteering at the evacuation centers at Parmer and the Convention Center. "I got to know some awesome people." she said. Wyndy's advice to fellow-volunteers is to pay attention to your needs too. "It's real easy not to take care of yourself," she said. Last summer she took a class, Critical Incident Stress Management," that taught her to put things in perspective, and how volunteers as well as victims can feel the negative effects of a disaster. Wyndy lives in Spicewood, Texas with her husband Chris and three sons. Her de-stressing activities include reading, writing, camping hiking and being outdoors. And she is passionate about her work as an independent insurance agent, a profession she learned from her father. She's also looking forward to traveling to Washington soon to celebrate a special occasion - her grandmother's 80th birthday. Austin HSEM offers training and supplies materials for Disaster Preparedness Trainers. If you'd like more information, or would like to become a volunteer presenter, please contact Candice Wade.
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Volunteer Opportunities Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The City of Austin's Technology Response Team(COA-TRT) is an opportunity for volunteers to assist the City of Austin's Communication and Technology Management (CTM) organization during a response to a disastrous event affecting the City. For more information visit:
Citizen Corps:
FEMA Citizen Corps and their main programs: Citizen Corps Councils, Community Emergency Response Teams, Neighborhood Watch Program, Volunteers in Police Service, and Medical Reserve Corps.
USA Freedom Corps:
Programs include: AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America.
United Way Capital Area Volunteer Center
The United Way offers hundreds of volunteer opportunities so you're sure to find the match that’s right for you. Whether you want to volunteer one time or on a regular basis, as a group or individually, the Volunteer Center can help you. |
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Penner
