Big Island Red Cross Volunteers Honored

Two Hawai’i Red Cross volunteers from the Big Island were honored at the agency’s annual Heroes Breakfast on April 11 at the Waikiki Marriott, kicking off National Volunteer Week.

Photo of East Hawaii Volunteer of the Year Kenneth Cutting at Saturday’s Red Cross Heroes recognition event with award presenters Frank Richardson of Kaiser Permanente and Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO, Hawai’i Red Cross. Hawai’i Red Cross photo.

Kenneth Cutting of East Hawai’i and Phillip Fernandez of West Hawai’i were honored as 2015 Red Cross Volunteers of the Year at the breakfast, along with four other volunteers from across the state.

Photo of West Hawaii Volunteer of the Year Phillip Fernandez at Saturday’s Red Cross Heroes recognition event with award presenters Mike Kaleikini of Puna Geothermal and Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO, Hawai’i Red Cross. Hawai’i Red Cross photo.

Hundreds of thousands of Red Cross volunteers across the United States respond to fires, teach lifesaving skills like First Aid and CPR, volunteer at Army Hospitals, and more. In Hawai’i, there are over 1,500 Red Cross volunteers out in the community.

“We want to take this time during Volunteer Week to thank our volunteers for their service and dedication,” said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the Hawai’i Red Cross. “They help us fulfill our lifesaving mission every day, and we are overwhelmed with gratitude for their service.”

Community members interested in joining the Red Cross Ohana are invited to visit the Hawai’i Red Cross website to learn more about volunteer opportunities and to submit a volunteer application.