Volunteer Spotlight: Tony Halabi

“I love volunteering to give back to my community. It feels great when you get to help people in their worst life moments.”
-Tony Halabi

Tony Halabi of Peoria started volunteering with the American Red Cross in August 2013.

Tony is part of the Red Cross disaster action team, frequently responding to disasters such as home fires. During his time as a Red Cross volunteer, Tony has installed numerous smoke alarms during Sound the Alarm home fire safety events. You also might see him driving an Emergency Response Vehicle or handing out emergency supplies to individuals affected by tornadoes.

Tony encourages others to sign up as volunteers for the Red Cross. “It is the perfect organization to volunteer for,” he says. “As a volunteer, I see how the Red Cross uses all of its resources to help people in need during disasters. Also, the staff are very supportive during training and very appreciative of any volunteering work.”

Tony has a heart for serving others and says, it is very impactful when he has the opportunity to help people as a volunteer.

“What affects me the most is seeing people after a house fire or a tornado distraught, they have lost everything they owned, all their memories and not knowing what to do next and where to go. Some nights after a fire call I stay awake thinking about it, hoping I made a small difference by helping.”

Tony has dedicated much of his life to volunteering and received The President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama, while he was in office.

Thank you, Tony for your hard work and dedication, and all you do to help the community as a Red Crosser! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to join Tony as a disaster volunteer.

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen

Volunteer Spotlight: Doug Harrison

Doug Harrison of Peoria has volunteered for the American Red Cross as a Blood Transportation Specialist for the past 15 years.

As a Transportation Specialist volunteer, Doug is the critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood, platelets or other blood products to hospitals.

“This is a lifesaving job,” he says.

Formerly a printing press operator, Doug decided to start volunteering when his full-time job was eliminated. On average, he is called to deliver blood products two or three times a week – it’s a call he is always happy to take.

Doug also volunteers at blood drives and says, he just likes being able to do something for other people.

“I enjoy it. I’m giving back to the community; that there, in itself, makes me feel good.”
-Doug Harrison

Thank you, Doug! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to sign up as a Red Cross volunteer.

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen

Red Cross and Partners Team Up to Sound the Alarm in Peoria

American Red Cross volunteers and community partners gathered in Peoria Thursday, May 5 to install free smoke alarms in dozens of homes and share home fire safety information with residents.

The event kicked off the 2022 Sound the Alarm campaign in the Illinois region. Volunteers will be installing smoke alarms in numerous communities in the region in coming weeks – 50,000 in total, throughout the U.S.

Volunteers gathered at the Red Cross chapter office in Peoria, where Peoria Fire Department officials instructed them on how to properly install the smoke alarms. Teams of two or three went out into the community from there, to educate homeowners on fire escape plans and complete the installations. Volunteers installed 74 smoke alarms in homes of Peoria residents.

“It is important that we partner with other community leaders to promote fire safety,” said Jesse Getz, CEO of Getz Fire Equipment. “It was very rewarding. Any time you can volunteer to help others in your community, it’s just a great experience.”

Click here to see more photos of the Peoria event.

Thank you to the following community partners for helping make this possible:

Ameren
ATS
Caterpillar
Commerce Bank
Getz Fire Equipment
Maxim Healthcare Services
Peoria Fire Department
Salvation Army

The Sound the Alarm program is part of the Red Cross home fire campaign, which has helped saved 1,275 lives since launching in October 2014.

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen