Amanda M. Usher | The Valdosta Daily Times American Red Cross of South Georgia Regional Executive Director Terri Jenkins with Red Cross volunteer Mark Gilpatrick Tuesday morning at the Red Cross office.

VALDOSTA — After 29 years of educating students in the community, Mark Gilpatrick said he wanted to begin serving the community. 

Since 2005, the former teacher has been volunteering with the American Red Cross of South Georgia being the first face visitors see every Tuesday morning.

“I enjoy doing it; I like to help people and that’s the reason I stay with it,” he said.

His daily responsibilities consist of tending to the emergency needs of callers and being the bridge between residents and any necessary assistance.

Gilpatrick joined the Red Cross team following Hurricane Katrina. He said he has provided aid to incoming guests from coastal areas.

It’s the Red Cross’ commitment to support the community that drove Gilpatrick to volunteer with the organization for 13 years.

“I feel like they do a good job and try to help in any way they can with the resources they have,” he said.

Gilpatrick’s hope is that working with the Red Cross connects him with the community, he said.

According to Gilpatrick, there’s a lack of knowledge of what the social services organization does.

“We’ve had testimonies from people that we’ve helped; we know we’re helping; my thing I want to publicize is to let people know what Red Cross does for the community,” he said.

The Red Cross has been serving the Lowndes County area for 101 years, helping with blood donations, installing smoke alarms and helping with disaster relief, said Terri Jenkins, regional executive director.

With 168 volunteers regionally, and at least 20 in the local office, the relief efforts of the Red Cross benefits people affected by hurricanes, home fire, tornadoes and flooding.

Most recently, the Red Cross assisted with an explosion that occurred around noon Friday, Aug. 17, in Downtown Homerville. It injured three women.

The Red Cross provided water, snacks and Gatorade to 100 first responders on scene of the explosion, Jenkins said.

“Our mission is to prevent and alleviate suffering in times of disaster, and the only way that we do that is by the generosity of donors and the power of volunteers,” she said.

Volunteers within the organization assist with government liaison, managing shelters, information technology and more contributing 9,400 hours, Jenkins said.

“The beauty of the Red Cross volunteers is we have some wonderful, generous volunteers, and they will drop what they’re doing to take care of the community,” she said. “That’s why we’re so grateful that they do that. They’re wonderful.”

Partnerships are essential as the organization links with churches, veteran groups, Second Harvest of South Georgia, the Salvation Army, Goodwill, Pepsi, Coke and Valdosta State University, Jenkins said.

Having been with the organization for nine years, she said building bonds with outside agencies is important.

She remembered changing her plans to be with her family when straight-line winds went through Langdale Forest Products located on Madison Highway.

“I was developing a partnership with Langdale, so I called the (human resources) director,” she said. “I said ‘Hey, heard about this, what can we do, what can we help you with.’ He appreciated that phone call,” she said.

To volunteer with the American Red Cross of South Georgia, email terri.jenkins@redcross.org or call (229) 242-7404. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.