Local man wins Red Cross award

Red Cross Regional CEO Tim Miller (left) and local Executive Director Dave Bosteder show Bosteder’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Mission Fulfillment. Submitted

Regional Red Cross CEO Tim Miller delivered the award to Bosteder at the Red Cross office on Nov. 3. This Red Cross award was given to a single individual in Region 2, covering California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

“Dave is incredibly effective in getting things done,” said Miller. “He truly understands the needs of the community. We’re lucky to have him working on behalf of the Red Cross in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties.”

Bosteder oversees a team of Red Cross volunteers who work on disaster preparedness and response, outreach and fundraising efforts in two rural counties covering more than 7,300 square miles and serving 100,000 people.

“I’ve never met anyone so dedicated to a non-profit and I’ve been involved with many. He goes above and beyond,” said Mary Dorman, Chair of the local Red Cross Board of Directors. She cited Bosteder’s dedication as demonstrating the qualities and activities that garnered him the prestigious award.

Bosteder and Red Cross volunteers sheltered more than 300 local people during the Crescent City tsunami that followed the Japanese/Pacific earthquake and tsun­ami in March 2011. He and his team performed these duties without outside help. Bosteder also raised funds to cover 100 percent of the cost for the relief effort.

To increase the quality of caregivers in this rural area and increase revenue for the local Red Cross, Bosteder began a state-certified Nurse Assistant Training program housed at the Chapter. They have completed three classes to date this year.  During difficult economic times, this training enables participants to get jobs quickly or to continue their education in the health care field.

To serve military families and wounded military personnel, Bos­teder has worked with a group to make quilts and robes for “wound­ed warriors.” In 2011, the volunteers created and shipped 48 robes and 120 quilts to wounded soldiers.

“Dave is incredibly effective at getting things done,” said Dorman. “He works as the only full-time staff member in a remote and isolated area and provides a high level of quality services to counties that are difficult to access.”