Local volunteer named Red Cross 2013 Volunteer of the Month

ALTOONA — The American Red Cross Western Wisconsin Region announced Tracy Nelson as its August  2013 Volunteer of the Month. Both a disaster responder and preparedness education volunteer, Nelson has made her way in various aspects of the organization to give back to her community.

“I love working with the public. I love the challenges that are associated with helping people from all walks of life.  The more I learn, the more rewarding it is,” said Nelson, of Colfax.

Beginning her Red Cross service in 1995, Nelson has found her place in disaster services. From leading Disaster Action Teams to providing mass care to working with the media, she has become knowledgeable and experienced in all components of disaster response.

“The service and support that she has provided to the Red Cross Disaster Services program has helped build our local capacity,” said Jenny Legaspi, a Red Cross employee who has worked closely with Nelson.

In light of several volunteers deploying to Oklahoma in the past couple of months, Nelson has been instrumental in covering local disaster response needs. Red Cross staff members say that Nelson has gone above and beyond.

Right now, Western Wisconsin Region has many volunteer opportunities, including becoming a disaster responder, supporting military troops, teaching life-saving first aid and CPR, and many more. Red Cross volunteers are united by their service and the feeling that in changing others’ lives, their lives are also changed. To learn more, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact Western Wisconsin Region at volunteernwestern.wi@redcross.org. .