Cindy Bowe, long-time water safety instructor, received the Volunteer of the Year award Monday night a the 85th annual Mower County chapter of the American Red Cross meeting.

Geoff Baker, chapter chairman, presented the award.

Baker recalled Bowe's start in 1991 as a Red Cross volunteer and how she became a water safety instructor and later an instructor trainer.

Bowe is certified to teach 73 different courses and has taught 215 classes of health and safety skills to Mower County residents.

Bowe expressed her appreciation to the chapter for the honor.

Elaine Hansen, executive director of the Mower County chapter, presented a Partners In Service award to the Austin YMCA. Mark Bjorlie, executive director of the YMCA, accepted the honor.

Alice Tomaschko presented volunteer service pins to those people reaching milestones in their careers with the Red Cross chapter. Marion Koeck was honored for 45 years of volunteer service to the chapter.

The meeting was held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lyle. As guests arrived, they were greeted by the presence of a new emergency services vehicle delivered to Lyle by John and Joanne Gedker, national disaster volunteers.

Roger Boughton and John and Joanne Gedker told the crowd of 100 guests about their experiences

as national disaster volunteers.

The three had been to the Roseau County flooding this summer and a year ago went to New York, N.Y. to aid victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Boughton, a retired long-time community college educator and administrator, told the audience his volunteer service as reinforced Mark Twain's reminder "20 years from now you will be more disappointed in the things you did not do in life than satisfied with the things you did."

Joanne Gedker admitted, "We've had quite a year." Then, she recounted how she and her husband have helped at disasters; especially last fall's visit to New York City.

"It was an incredible experience; one that changed me in ways I still can't describe," she said.

She also observed, "Regardless of the cause or size of a disaster, the impact on those who are affected is the same: it's devastating."

John Gedker told the crowd, the mere sight of the red cross on a vehicle traveling through the streets where a disaster has struck "means a lot to people."

He echoed his wife's description of the commonality of the impact of a disaster. "We could see the same look in people's eyes wherever we went," he said.

He praised local volunteers for their dedication and admitted, "I'm just beginning to understand the scope of the Red Cross."

Then, chapter chairman Baker observed, "Disaster services are free. They are our gift to our nation, our community and our world."

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com