Dana is a Red Cross hero because she has committed a great deal of time and energy into her passion of helping others. From responding to disasters to writing letters to soldiers, Dana has proven herself as a dedicated and passionate Red Cross youth volunteer.

Dana began volunteering with the American Red Cross in 2011 when she started her county’s first high school club. She has been the driving force behind new activities such as a Snacks for Soldiers drive to benefit active duty military men and women and she has also organized trademark Red Cross activities at her school such as the Holiday Mail for Heroes card drive (since the club began, over 300 cards have been sent.) When Hurricane Sandy struck, she initiated a donation drive to help a local community member’s relative whose school in New Jersey had been flooded by the storm. Dana recently received a letter from the school’s kindergarten teacher saying that the supplies donated helped the students tremendously.

In the summer of 2012, Dana joined the Tampa Bay Red Cross Youth Council and volunteered throughout the summer to teach various lesson plans (First Aid, Water Safety, Disaster Preparedness, Scrubby Bear Hand Washing, and Stranger Danger.) She also assisted the vice president of training by co-authoring a new lesson plan about nutrition and healthy living. Furthermore, she was the co-chair of the creative committee for the awards ceremony for volunteers.

Currently, Dana is Vice President of Volunteer Management on the Tampa Bay Red Cross Youth Executive Board. Her duties include contacting the youth council about volunteer opportunities and helping organize the youth leadership development camp during the summer. Also, Dana has been a volunteer at the annual Tampa Bay Red Cross holiday event, and she has been recently certified in shelter operations and simulation.