February was a good month in Optometry

Rome Italy Temple Open House Update

The Public Open House concluded Saturday, the 23^rd of February.  That day, we were blessed with over 1800 guests entering the temple, 95% of which were Italian, the majority of which were nonmembers!  We received 128 comments, 56 of which asked for email or in person visits.  For the period of the Open House which began on January 13 with the construction crew, there were over 50,000 people who toured the temple, leaving over 3,000 comments.  Thanks for all that each of you did to promote, inform, and invite people to the Open House! 

One of the things we accomplished when we first arrived on Sigonella was apply to be a Red Cross Volunteer.  We wanted to be able to volunteer at the Sigonella Hospital to support our families.  Little did we know that becoming a Red Cross Volunteer was no small thing.  I expected to become certified in CPR and First Aid but that was only the beginning. We did Cyber Security, Casework, Disaster Assessment and The ALTA system used at Sigonella Hospital. Somewhere between 36-40 hours later we were given clearance to volunteer in the hospital.  Because we didn’t have any medical training we could go to any clinic and start new learning foundational vocabulary and support.  We ended up in the Optometry Clinic, one Optometrist Dr. Mikayla Uphoff, two Optometry Technicians Brandon Richardson and Adam Hart.  It was a steep learning curve but after a few weeks we began to feel like we moved from a liability to an asset.

Thursday’s are minimum day for DOD schools on Sigonella and also the days set aside for dependents and families to access clinics in the hospital, so we volunteered seven hours every Thursday for over a year.

We had the opportunity to work with amazing people but February was a good month in Optometry!  Dr. Uphoff was recognized and awarded a Star certificate for “Outstanding Service to Military families”, HM3 Richardson was recognized as “Sailor of the Quarter”, HM3 Hart was recognized as “Outstanding RA for the Quarter” and the volunteers in that clinic, Kathy and Craig Anderson were recognized as the Red Cross “Volunteers of the Quarter.” Who knew?

The Sigonella Optometry Crew!

 

REGIONAL VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER

Data entered on this nomination form covers:  SUBMISSION DEADLINE TO THE REGIONAL COORDINATOR IS 1630 THE 15th OF THE MONTH FOLLOWING THE QUARTER END.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Active American Red Cross Volunteers that engage in volunteer work supportive of the American Red Cross mission are eligible for nomination.  Nominees must have hours logged in the nominating quarter.  Nominators (volunteers and employees) should consider all volunteer types and should submit a minimum of one (1)  Adult volunteer and a maximum of two (2) Adult, and two (2) Youth nominations to the Regional VOQ coordinator.  Nominators are encouraged to work with the nominee’s volunteer manager and/or the volunteer’s direct supervisor to complete the nomination form.

Nominee documents are printed based on this form – Please TYPE and VERIFY SPELLING.

NOMINEE’S INFORMATION PLEASE ENSURE INFORMATION IS COMPLETE AND ACCURATE TO ENSURE NOMINEE CAN BE CONTACTED.

Nominator’s Information

Nominator’s Name:

Lauren Albritton

Station’s Name:

NAS SIGONELLA, SICILY

Email Address:

Lauren.albritton@redcross.org

Phone Number:

+39 0095 86 4900

Volunteer’s Information

Full Name of Volunteer Being Nominated (First, Middle, and Last):

Kathryn and Craig Anderson

Email Address:

Kathyanderson66@gmail.com

Phone Number:

Please indicate the Volunteer’s placement location: (Clinic, Special Events, etc.):

Optometry Clinic

Volunteer’s Station:

Sigonella

Volunteer Type:

Active

Please enter the Volunteer’s direct supervisor’s name and phone number:

Suzy Gill, 095564592

In the following section, please complete four free-form narrative answers regarding the nominee.  Nominations should not include the nominee’s name in the narrative portion of the form.  The information provided will assist the Regional Recognition Committee in determining the best nominee for final selection.  Therefore, please be thoughtful and concise when crafting your responses. (Please limit section answers to 250 words or less)

1.     Please explain how the Volunteer provided exemplary service to the American Red Cross during the past quarter:

The Andersons are very active in the community; they primarily volunteer in our Optometrists office along with donating time to the USO and Library. Our optometrist has come to depend on the Andersons as a pinnacle point to their operation. They are consistently on time, dependable, efficient with time management, easily able to multitask and extremely knowledgeable. The scope of their work with the optometrist cannot be duplicated due to their dedication and commitment to providing the best possible care.

2.     During the Volunteer’s tenure of service, how has (s)he contributed a significantly positive impact or innovation within your Station?

These volunteers are a dynamic duo and amazing volunteers. They pioneered the way as the first volunteers to ever be placed in the Optometry Clinic. They sought out the optometrist on their own accord and discussed in detail what a working volunteer relationship would look like between the two entities. They have set a strong volunteer standard through dependability, hard work, and dedication. The NSHS optometrist, LCDR Mikayla Uphoff, states that they provide a “huge morale boost, which directly contributes to overall improvement of patient care, military readiness, and mental well being.” They paved new pathways to positive relationships with the hospital staff and the American Red Cross that would otherwise be unknown to our organization.

3.     To the best of your ability, speak to how this Volunteer exemplifies the Mission of the American Red Cross:

Mission of the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Due to the small size of NAS Sigonella, an excess of manpower and resources is unheard of. The dedicated service that the Andersons provide has alleviated an insurmountable portion of stress from the optometrist and patients, providing a continuity that the active duty and dependent community rely on. They provide the glue of guidance and knowledge during times of low-manning and transitions as a beacon of consistency to staff and patients. Not only do they continually push to positively serve others, they can see that service comes in all shapes and forms. From volunteering at Red Cross and NAS Sigonella events to stocking contact lenses, the Andersons continually say yes to any and all help that is needed.

4.     Reflecting on the five American Red Cross Values:

•       Compassionate:  We are dedicated to improving the lives of those we serve and to treating each other with care and respect.

•       Collaborative:  We work together as One Red Cross family, in partnership with other organizations, and always embrace diversity and inclusiveness.

•       Creative:  We seek new ideas, are open to change and always look for better ways to serve those in need.

•       Credible:  We act with integrity, are transparent guardians of the public trust and honor our promises.

•       Committed:  We hold ourselves accountable for defining and meeting clear objectives, delivering on our mission and carefully stewarding our donor funds.

Which value(s) does this Volunteer most personify and how?

These volunteers display compassion when encountering people from various backgrounds and experiences. The Andersons treat all those who come in contact with them with the utmost respect and empathy. Overseas locations can be difficult, not only on the service member but children and families as well, and they never pass up on an opportunity to make a real and lasting connection. The extra time they take with each person shines through and leaves a lasting impression. They do not hesitate to help others and if a need is seen, they jump to action to help as opposed to waiting for a request. They act selflessly, offering clear and sound advice in an unassuming way. No volunteer opportunity is off limits for them, constantly seeking to better themselves and the community they call home. Through their passion, they have also shown how clearly committed they are to our cause of delivering help to those who need it.

 All nominees must be an active volunteer in good standing.  Self-nominations will not be accepted.  The Regional VOQ Committee reserves the right to validate or reject a nominee's eligibility.  Checking this box signifies you understand and agree.