American Red Cross: Meet Our Oscar!( Red Cross rolls out red carpet for on...),Health

Red Cross rolls out red carpet for one of its own

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the world prepares for the most watched awards show on television, the American Red Cross proudly presents our "Oscar".

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO)

Oscar Barnes, Executive Director of the West Alabama Chapter in Tuscaloosa. He began his career at Red Cross eleven years ago in Vicksburg (MS). During his tenure with Red Cross, Oscar has been in the spotlight for some very dramatic roles.

During the 2005 storm season Oscar was the Executive Director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter. "Of all the disasters I have been involved with, and all the people I have been allowed to serve, I will never forget the faces of the victims, or the dedication and commitment of the volunteers who served during Hurricane Katrina, that's Red Cross, and I have never been more proud of being a part of something, looking back it still brings tears to my eyes."

Oscar is famed for his morning greeting to the hundreds of Katrina volunteers as they checked in at Disaster Headquarters. At the beginning of each day Oscar stood with his microphone motivating and uplifting the volunteers for another day of service. "Good Morning, it's a great day to be working with the Red Cross; it's a great day to be helping people!"

Oscar praises the generosity of the American public. "Sometimes people refer to random acts of kindness," Barnes said "It's not random. People choose to help one another; people choose to make a difference. I have the privilege of watching ordinary people become extraordinary, I see next door neighbors become heroes simply by holding out their hands and touching lives. At the end of the day it doesn't get any better than that."

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