March 20, 2008
Members of American Red Cross-Clark University (ARCCU) receive UniverCity Partnership Award
Ten students that make up the American Red Cross-Clark University (ARCCU) were recognized with a Worcester UniverCity Partnership Award at "Colleges and Community - Creating Collaborations," a networking event held at Clark recently.
Pictured (from left to right) are Robert McLaren and Susan Swanberg from the American Red Cross, and Joanna Lubkin ’08 and Robert Hipps ’09 from the ARCCU.
Armand Carriere, executive director of the Worcester UniverCity Partnership, presented the UniverCity Partnership ("UP") award to ARCCU members Robert Hipps '09 and Joanna Lubkin '08. Others who were recognized but not present at the event include (Club President) Paula Zimmerman '08, Rumi Pavlova '08, Nicole Paradis '11, Serena Pham '11, Sarah Richard '11, Amy Saba '11, Margo Sheck '11, and James Wilson '11.
The UP award is given annually to one group from each college or school that exhibits dedicated commitment to the community through volunteer, work study, or service learning efforts.
This year, the ARCCU students completed the extensive training necessary to become members of a Disaster Action Team (DAT). As members of a DAT, they are on-call to respond to local disasters (mainly fire scenes), day or night. In addition, these student volunteers organize training in first aid/CPR for other Clark students and help area Red Cross chapter volunteers outfit emergency response vans and make sure disaster victims have emergency food, shelter and clothing.
"ARCCU this past year, under the leadership of President Paula Zimmerman, has made a significant commitment to helping others in our community," said Kay Bassett, Special Assistant to the President, who nominated the group for the award. Bassett has served as the group's advisor for several years. "Their training has prepared them as the next generation of volunteers providing this critical service," said Bassett. "I have watched their commitment and contribution to the health and safety of the community develop during this past year to provide a truly meaningful impact... Volunteers are the heart of the Red Cross, and Clark’s ARCCU team is an integral part of this special group."
The mission of the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts, under its National Congressional Charter, is to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. This year alone, since July 2007, the local Chapter has responded to 88 fires, providing assistance to 544 people, in the Worcester community. Among its many other services, the Chapter provides health and safety training, workforce development health provider training, armed forces emergency services, and blood donation services.
Susan Swanberg from the Red Cross accepted the community partner award on Tuesday.
The Worcester UniverCity Partnership is a coalition of public and private organizations working in cooperation with central Massachusetts colleges and universities to explore and implement partnerships that increase the positive impact of higher education in the city and the region, especially in the area of economic development.