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Welcome to the 2008
National Youth Institute.
The power of youth volunteerism is immeasurable. You make up almost onethird
of American Red Cross volunteers, but your true value comes from the
contributions you make toward fulfilling the Red Cross mission.
This year, our own National Youth Council was recognized nationally
and internationally for making a difference here and now. The National
Youth Council received the Norman R. Augustine Award from National
Headquarters and the Together for Humanity Award from the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Have you read about Hope Kostensky, a youth volunteer with the Summit
County Chapter in Akron, Ohio? Hope put together a pancake breakfast
that raised $2,101 for the Measles Initiative – enough to purchase vaccines
for more than 2,600 children.
You may have seen Krysta Mizner, a volunteer from the Catawba Valley
Chapter in Hickory, North Carolina, encouraging college students to donate
blood on mtvU. Krysta created an episode for MTV’s Cause Effect series,
and the series was just nominated for an Emmy.
Youth volunteers had another breakthrough when the International
Humanitarian Service Award was given to Mat Morgan, Vice Chair of the
National Youth Council. This is the first time an individual Red Cross youth
volunteer has received a national award not specifically designated for youth.
Every Red Cross youth and young adult volunteer holds a great deal of
power – all you have to do is release it. Make an impact today.
Kate Forbes
National Chair of Volunteers
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