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American Red Cross, American Red Cross New Hampshire, American Red Cross NH, Bob Perry, Keene NH, Medical Appointments, New Hampshire, Team Red Cross App, transportation, volunteer, volunteer spotlight, Volunteering
By: Kathy Cox, American Red Cross Volunteer
Bob Perry has one word to describe being a Red Cross volunteer: wonderful!
Perry, of Keene, has been a driver in the transportation program in the Keene ARC office for 13 years, but his volunteer work with the organization goes back almost 45 years. Perry, 75, was approached back then by a friend who was on the Board of Directors for the Keene chapter who asked if he’d be interested in joining the board. He was. And while he’s had two “tours of duty” as a board member and even was a paid worker as an assistant to the then-executive director of the Keene chapter back in the ‘70s, he finds being a driver the most rewarding in his long experience with the Red Cross.
For many years he was involved in emergency services – even ran the department back when board members headed various Red Cross functions. Through that affiliation, he learned about the ARC transportation program and decided he wanted to be a driver. Perry’s responsibility is to take people to medical appointments. The transportation program takes people to appointments within all the towns of Cheshire County and beyond – “wherever people need to go in New England,” he said.
What has kept him behind the wheel for 13 years? “The people you get to meet. Wonderful people! There’s a tremendous sense of satisfaction that you’re doing something hands-on worthwhile.” The people he takes to appointments are always grateful, he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to meet people; absolutely wonderful!”
Anybody can be a driver, he said, as long as you have a clean driving record and you like people. “It doesn’t take a special talent. You’ve got to like people, but no special talent is necessary.”
What would he tell those thinking about becoming a Red Cross volunteer? “Do it. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you have great people to work with and wonderful people to help. You get a tremendous sense of accomplishment. We drivers get far more out of it than the people we drive. Our lives are enriched by doing it. It’s a wonderful thing to be doing.”
Know someone who’d be interested in volunteering in transportation or any other area of the Red Cross? If so please contact us! New volunteers are always welcome and needed to assist residents in our area. You can also download our Team Red Cross App for opportunities and information.