From press release
Two local volunteers recognized
For more than a century, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need – thanks tofounder Clara Barton. Through supporting service members and their families, collecting blood for patients, providing individuals with help and hope after disasters, teaching lifesaving training and providing international aid, we’ve stayed true to our roots.
During FY23, the Red Cross of Northern New England:
- Installed 1,836 free smoke alarms (including 233 in Vermont), making 579 homes safer across the region (including 65 in Vermont);
- Responded to 521 home fires (including 116 in Vermont) and assisted 1,955 people (including 451 Vermonters);
- Educated 3,555 adults and children through our Pillowcase Project, Prepare with Pedro and Community Preparedness Engagement Programs;
- Collected more than 110,000 red cell units of lifesaving blood;
- Deployed over 200 volunteers and staff to more than 30 large-scale disasters.
This work would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers. Regionally, the Red Cross recognizes its top volunteers with the Clara Barton Award. These individuals embody the organization’s core values of compassion, commitment, credibility, creativity and collaboration.
This year, the American Red Cross Vermont Chapter is honored to recognize Dr. David Carini, of West Rutland, Vermont, as the 2023 Clara Barton Award recipient. Carini is being honored posthumously, following his sudden passing in June 2022 at the age of 65. Carini was a dedicated humanitarian, logging more than 13,000 volunteer hours during his time with the Red Cross. He was active in both Biomedical and Disaster Cycle Services. Carini also deployed to national disaster relief operations, helping feed those displaced by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018. In December, Rutland’s iconic Gift of Life Marathon blood drive celebrated its 20th anniversary. Carini was a fixture at this drive over the years and helped plan and run dozens of other blood drives. 2022’s GOLM was dedicated to Carini’s memory.
Additionally, the Red Cross is pleased to recognize the volunteers who achieved the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which is sponsored by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. These awards, issued by the U.S. government, recognize individuals who achieve and record a targeted number of service hours within a calendar year.
Gold Recipients (500-plus volunteer hours) include Michael Merchant of Starksboro.
Silver Recipients (250 – 499 volunteer hours) include John Clifford of Hinesburg.