I pretty much coordinated all the people to run the shelter.

The Red Cross, as did a lot of other groups, worked very, very hard.

When he called me that night, he told me it was much more dramatic that I wasn't there. It was just wonderful (receiving the award). In my position as director of agencies I certainly have given volunteer of the year awards, but I'd never received one. So, this was really nice.

I was on a two-week deployment for the Red Cross on the (Mississippi) Gulf Coast.