Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross Honors Volunteers

On Thursday, Red Cross volunteers and staff from the Nebraska-Iowa Region gathered in person and online for the Nebraska-Iowa One Red Cross Volunteer Awards to celebrate each other’s work and many accomplishments in 2025. The sense of community was palpable at each chapter party, and even for those watching the event online.

Eastern Iowa chapter awardees

Volunteers were recognized for their hours of commitment, outstanding leadership and more. Those selected for awards were nominated by their fellow volunteers, supervisors and staff.

“Volunteer recognition at the American Red Cross is built on strong volunteer relationships, while being rooted in honoring outstanding contributions and celebrating the impact of acts of service throughout the communities we serve,” said Becky Greenwald, Regional Volunteer Services Officer. “Formal acknowledgment of a job well done is so important. We celebrate every volunteer active in the Red Cross mission.”

This year, “The Clara”, which recognizes a volunteer of the year, was presented for the first time. The winner of “The Clara” was selected from the six recipients of the Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Leadership. The Clara Volunteer of the Year is Juanita Sieben of Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

Every Red Cross volunteer plays a significant role. Their tireless commitment to ensuring the Red Cross mission of alleviating human suffering is carried out locally, across our region, and throughout the country.

Rachelle Lipker, Executive Director of the Central and Western Nebraska Chapter, presents an award to Sam Johnston

“Ninety percent of the work of the Red Cross is carried out by volunteers,” said Jill Orton, Nebraska-Iowa Region Executive. “But, behind that number are real people who show up every day with professionalism, compassion and selflessness.”

The Awards and Awardees

Milestone Hours Honor Award

• Sue Hensley of Plattsmouth, Nebraska for over 10,000 hours of service to the Red Cross.

Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership

We present this award to volunteers who embody the pioneering leadership qualities of our founder, Clara Barton, and who demonstrate the highest degree of collaboration, broad strategic thinking, inspire others to deliver on our mission and model the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

• Danny Ridgway of North Platte, Nebraska

• Peter Teahen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• Burdell Clark of Nevada, Iowa

• Kerri Hall of Sioux City, Iowa

• Juanita Sieben of Plattsmouth, Nebraska

• Char Ballard of Lincoln, Nebraska

Attendees at the Des Moines event enjoying food and conversation

Pacesetter Award

These volunteers are known for defining and meeting clear objectives, delivering on our mission and for consistent and reliable service.

• Samuel Johnston of Hastings, Nebraska

• Dave Tolander of Waterloo, Iowa

• Lori Talbott of Des Moines, Iowa

• Heidi Reinking of Sioux City, Iowa

• Judy Griffin of Avoca, Iowa

• Jerilyn Austria of Lincoln, Nebraska

Rising Star Award

We present this award to volunteers who not only demonstrate a consistent commitment to their volunteer role, but also quick growth toward increased levels of responsibility, leadership and sphere of impact.

• Marion McDermott of Grand Island, Nebraska

• Allen Hirashiki of Dubuque, Iowa

• Penny Vossler of Boone, Iowa

• Mike Frantz of Storm Lake, Iowa

• Ved Pawar of Elkhorn, Nebraska

• Payton Tull of Fremont, Nebraska

Omaha-Council Bluffs chapter awardees

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

These volunteers lead by example, raise awareness of volunteer diversity and inclusion issues and are champions for change, demonstrating future-forward thinking.

• Yazmine Sotelo of Grand Island, Nebraska

• Veronica Guzman of South Sioux City, Nebraska

• Tony Gutierrez of Omaha, Nebraska

• Pierce Zanders of West Des Moines, Iowa

• Kim Meyer of Lincoln, Nebraska

Outstanding Red Cross Youth or High School Club Award

We present this award to a youth under 18 or to a Red Cross high school club that made a significant humanitarian contribution to the local, national or international community in support of the American Red Cross.

• Cordell Frerichs of Big Springs, Nebraska

• Ved Parwar of Elkhorn, Nebraska

Outstanding Red Cross Young Adult or Campus Award

This award is presented to a Red Cross Campus (college) Club or young adult volunteer (age 18-24) who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to the local, national or international community in support of the American Red Cross.

• Mackenzie Schram of Akron, Iowa

• Aleah Rodis of Omaha, Nebraska

• Carmin Gonzalez of Lincoln, Nebraska

Good Neighbor Community Award

These organizations went above and beyond to support the work of the American Red Cross by either organizing events, providing goods and services or effectively fulfilling the needs of the organization and/or our volunteers and staff.

• Jon Rosenlund of Grand Island, Nebraska

• Linn County Emergency Management in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• Mount Pisgah Stake, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Waukee, Iowa

• Woodbury County Emergency Management in Sioux City, Iowa

• Tri-County Long Term Recovery Group in Omaha, Nebraska

• Project Connect Lincoln-Lincoln Homeless Coalition in Lincoln, Nebraska

Health Professionals Award

We present this award for exceptional work, dedication and perseverance to proven leaders who demonstrate skill in meeting the disaster-aggravated health needs of individuals, families and communities.

• Sue Tranel of East Dubuque, Illinois

• Shirlee Reding of Des Moines, Iowa

• Sue Hensley of Plattsmouth, Nebraska

• Melinda Gonzalez of Lincoln, Nebraska

Storyteller Award

This award recognizes the important regional role of a Communications volunteer who has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to develop and share the story of the Red Cross mission behind-the-scenes, on-camera, in-person or online through media channels, websites, social media feeds and other content platforms.

• Carson Rowh of Kearney, Nebraska

• Eleanor Jet De Ocampo of Dubuque, Iowa

• Janet Flanagan of Sioux City, Iowa

• Lubna Albadawi of Omaha, Nebraska

• Michelle Carlson of Lincoln, Nebraska

Volunteer Services Award

These volunteers made significant contributions in volunteer management and administration, providing expertise, insights and recommendations that effectively engage and support volunteers in delivering the mission.

• Samuel Johnston of Hastings, Nebraska

• Lori Talbott of Des Moines, Iowa

• Patricia Atkinson of Omaha, Nebraska

• Pam Feser of Lincoln, Nebraska

Biomedical Services Award

We present this award to volunteers who consistently provide outstanding service to the Biomedical team. They tirelessly promote the mission of Biomedical Services, reinforce the Red Cross brand and, when it matters most, are lifesavers enabling the safe collection of blood products.

• Eric Benson of Grand Island, Nebraska

• Jerry Streight of Asbury, Iowa

• Harneet Kour of Ankeny, Iowa

• Karen Dokken of Arnolds Park, Iowa

• Mike Fauss of Elkhorn, Nebraska

• Bobbie Ripa of Wilbur, Nebraska

Disaster Cycle Services Award

We present this award to volunteers who demonstrated imaginative and extraordinary achievement to meet the preparedness, response or recovery goals of our region and the disaster-related needs of individuals and communities.

• Chuck Scripter of North Platte, Nebraska

• Brenda Kamish of Moravia, Iowa

• Shirlee Reding of Des Moines, Iowa

• DeeAnn Zimmerman of Sioux City, Iowa

• Chris Drew of Omaha, Nebraska

• Patty Morgan of Lincoln, Nebraska

Service to the Armed Forces/International Services Award

This award recognizes volunteers who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence in providing home comforts and critical services to members of the military, veterans and their families.

• Ron Adams of Grand Island, Nebraska

• Christy Meyer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• Steve Nicoll of West Des Moines, Iowa

• Sue Hensley, Juanita Sieben and Jon Paul Sieben of Plattsmouth, Nebraska

• Duane Austria of Lincoln, Nebraska

The Clara: Volunteer of the Year

From our six incredible winners of the Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Leadership, one volunteer was chosen as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year.

• Juanita Sieben of Plattsmouth, Nebraska

Congratulations to each of the award winners. Thank you for your service and dedication. You can enjoy the awards presentation here.

To learn how you can volunteer to use your time and talent with the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteer.