Artie Newcombe helped the guests celebrate the 125^th Anniversary of the American Red Cross by providing a brief history and some of the local chapter highlights. He emphasized the importance of volunteers and how much their work is appreciated. The Chapter now has approximately 223 active volunteers, as well as a “reserve force” of trained disaster volunteers, blood sponsors and company volunteers. These volunteers have donated more than 4200 hours over the past year. Seventy–five local families received $44,184 in direct assistance following house fires and over 10,500 Gaston residents participated in CPR, First Aid, Automated External Defibrillation (AED) training, Lifeguarding, Water Safety, Babysitting and Preventing Disease Control. Through volunteer support, 6893 units of lifesaving blood were collected in Gaston County.

Following the program, local volunteers were honored for outstanding service to the chapter; new board members and officers were elected.

Service Volunteers of the Year:
Blood Services                                      

Becky Suggs

Community Support                              

Emily Craig

Health & Safety Services                       

Mary Anne Brown

Emergency Services                             

Don & Jean Allen

Youth Services                                      Krishna Deva

Chair of the Board Award                       

Joyce Blackmon

Blood Services Awards:
Largest Bloodmobile of the Year   
                                  
Gaston County Employees

Employers of a Single Company Giving the Most Blood    
Gaston County Employees

Church Collecting the Most Blood    
Woodlawn Baptist Church

First Time Sponsor with the Most Productive Blood Drive 

Anthony Groves Baptist Church

High School Collecting the Most Blood                           

Forestview High School

High School Collecting Best Percentage of Goal              

Cherryville High School
 

Special Recognition for Service to Chapter
Board Members who have completed their term: 
William Gross