GREENE _ The American Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter honored its volunteers at its annual recognition dinner in Greene on Wednesday.
The theme of the event was "Every Volunteer Counts!"
Sheila Ayres, of Delhi, received the Delaware County Outstanding Volunteer Award, and also was honored with a special recognition for her work on the Disaster Institute Committee.
Ayres said she has been a Red Cross volunteer intermittently since she was 17, but she has only been active in this area for the last three years since she moved to Delhi from Vermont.
"I love being a volunteer," Ayres said. "It's very important to me, and the Red Cross does such good things."
Ayres also volunteers for numerous Delhi area organizations including the Holiday Decorating Committee, the Delhi Women's Club, Fair on the Square and O'Connor Hospital.
"I retired early, and now I have time to give back," Ayres said.
Ayres said she has been on national response teams, most recently following tornados and flooding in Indiana.
"We need volunteers in Delaware County," Ayres said.
Rebecca Snow, Red Cross spokeswoman, said Ayres has been "a huge help in Delaware County. We couldn't do as much as we do without her."
Ralph Ritton, of Schenevus, is the Otsego County Outstanding Volunteer.
Snow said Ritton received the award for his health and safety instruction.
"Ralph bends over backward to make sure people are trained, and he doesn't mind teaching a class of just a couple of people," Snow said.
Ritton, who works at Custom Electronics in Oneonta, said he has been involved with Red Cross for 16 years but is looking forward to having more time to volunteer after he retires.
"I teach CPR and first aid," Ritton said. "They noted my willingness to teach small groups, but I just want to get them trained and get them out there, even if we have to do it one at a time."
The Southern Tier Chapter serves more than 425,000 people across five counties.
The following volunteers in Delaware, Otsego and Chenango counties were also recognized for their work:
ä Board Service _ Stephen Cembrinski, of Sidney.
ä Good Neighbor awards _ Chenango County Emergency Management, Delaware County Emergency Management and Otsego County Emergency Management
ä National Disaster Preparedness & Response Services Volunteer Award _ Leslie Hood, of Hobart
ä Outstanding and Sustained Support Award _ Kraft Foods in Walton and Sidney United Way
ä Outstanding Media Support Award _ WDLA Radio and Ron Galley, of Walton
ä Margaret Forsythe Outstanding Volunteer Award, Chenango County _ Audrey Aitken
ä Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Award _ Paul Carroll
ä Special Recognition _ Vicki Noble, of Delhi
ä Ron Quinn, of Walton _ 25 years of service
ä Carole Raymundo, of Walton _ More than 2,000 hours of service and 5 years of service
ä Elinor Oles, of Walton _ More than 1,000 hours of service
ä Barbara Horton, of Walton _ More than 300 hours of service
ä Elaine Curreri, of East Branch _ More than 200 hours of service
The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross is celebrating its 101st year of providing relief to victims of disasters, teaching lifesaving skills and supporting military members and families. For more information about the Red Cross, call 785-7207 or visit southerntierredcross.org.
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