Volunteers find reward in service

Saturday, March 10, 2012

SIKESTON --When school teacher Sandy Glaser of Sikeston retired from her profession, she decided volunteering for a worthy organization was just what she needed to do.

"I guess because giving back to your community and providing service is in my blood, I felt like I had something to offer," Glaser said.

After researching various organizations, Glaser considered the Red Cross. She learned in addition to organizing blood drives, the Red Cross assists fire victims, works with the armed services and offers assistance during other disasters -- all worthwhile efforts to her.

Glaser thought it would be a good fit, and she was right. Three years have passed since she first began volunteering for the Red Cross, and now Glaser serves as the disaster action team captain for Scott County.

"It's been very rewarding and touching. It makes you appreciate your life and see how other people live," Glaser said of her volunteer experience.

The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the Red Cross serves 11 counties, including Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Stoddard.

"We assist clients throughout Southeast Missouri, and we give them free assistance every day," said Ann Knopf, volunteer services manager for the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Nationwide, Red Cross responds to about 70,000 disasters each year, which equates to 150 home fires volunteers respond to every day. It also has a total of 1.4 million volunteers nationwide.

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