American Red Cross Names 2019 Volunteer of the Year

From Left: Mayor McTizic, City Administrator Sheila Dellinger, Sarah Rice, Fire Chief Lynn Price, Assistant Chief Michion Gatlin, and Engineer William Turner

Congratulations are in order for Mrs. Sarah Rice of Bolivar on her selection as the Volunteer of the Year for the American Red Cross-MidWest Tennessee Chapter. Sarah is employed by the City of Bolivar and serves as administrative support at the Bolivar Fire Department and as the city's social media manager.

She has been a volunteer for the American Red Cross for over three years and currently serves as their Disaster Action Team Captain and Community Volunteer Leader for Hardeman County. In this role, she responds to and provides direct client assistance and resources to those who have lost their homes to fire or other natural disaster. The award was presented on Thursday, May 16, 2019, during the 2019 American Red Cross Heroes Luncheon in Jackson.

From Left: Chief Lynn Price, Sarah Rice, Heather Carbajal, and Mayor McTizic

Presenter Heather Carbajal, Disaster Program Manager, said that American Red Cross response in Hardeman County has increased from an average of 5 responses in prior years to approximately 25 per year from 2016-2019 since Sarah joined the American Red Cross chapter. In addition, one of the smoke alarm events she led helped save two lives during a house fire in December.

Fire Chief Lynn Price said, "We are so very proud of Sarah's commitment to our community and our department, and we thank her for her service to both."