RED Cross South East volunteers this week gathered at the Mount Gambier Marketplace to celebrate International Volunteers Day.
Celebrated each year on December 5, it is a chance for organisations to acknowledge volunteers for their time and commitment to making a difference in their community.
With a total of 250 Red Cross volunteers across the region, volunteer engagement officer Raelene Monger said they are the “lifeblood” of the organisation.
“We have lots of long-term volunteers who assist with a range of programs in the South East,” she said.
“This year two women in Naracoorte received service awards for their contribution of 50 years each, which is just amazing.”
Whether it is making a phone call to an elderly person, taking a group on a social outing or helping a community recover from a natural disaster – Red Cross volunteers go above and beyond to help those in need.
Volunteering with Red Cross South East for over nine years, Bernie Paltridge said she has gained many friendships over her time.
“It is like another family – a life after life,” she said.
Continuing to provide assistance to a wide range of people, the South East group recently added a new program to the list.
“The home support program provides isolated people with small maintenance jobs,” Ms Monger said.
“It is no way replacing trades people and is just for simple jobs such as pulling down curtains to be washed or changing a washer on a tap.”
