“Marcia, your legacy is woven, quite literally, into the fabric of the American Red Cross,\u201d Braddy said. \u201cYou have stitched together decades of compassion and changed countless lives along the way. You have demonstrated what it means to lead with heart, to serve with humility and to show up for those who stood up for all of us.”<\/p>\n
Braddy presented Bauer with a plaque recognizing her 30 years of service and dedication to the Red Cross mission.<\/p>\n
During the event, Bauer honored her team of volunteers, noting that dedication extended well beyond the walls of the production room. One volunteer continued knitting baby caps from home, sending them in batches of 50 during the COVID pandemic. Others contributed from as far as Atlanta, Illinois, Houston and North Carolina.<\/p>\n
When asked why this volunteer program matters, Bauer said, \u201cDuring World War II, every Red Cross in the United States had a production room and wanted things the soldiers needed, like bandages, for instance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlbina Young went out into the community and asked, \u2018What can we hand-make for you to comfort your patients?\u2019 And that\u2019s where it all started,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
After Bauer joined the Production Room, the program expanded. \u201cMany people who were retired from other jobs usually volunteered, mostly women, but also men like Albina Young\u2019s husband, and a couple of men were looking for some way to give, had a connection, and were sewers, knitters and crocheters willing to serve,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
As she steps away, she carries with her memories of services performed, relationships built and people helped.<\/p>\n
\u201cMostly, what I am leaving with is the memory that every sewer just loves sitting at the sewing machine and imagining the joy it\u2019s going to bring to someone else\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Always remember that there are things that you can do. Whatever talents you have, those can be used to bring comfort to someone,” Bauer said.<\/p>\n
During Red Cross Month this March, you can join our mission in making a difference. Become a volunteer, give blood or make a financial donation when help can\u2019t wait. Visit\u00a0redcross.org<\/a>\u00a0to find your way to help today.<\/p>\n About American Red Cross Month<\/p>\n The American Red Cross recognizes\u00a0March as Red Cross Month<\/a>, a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first proclamation \u2014 and each U.S. president has followed ever since.<\/p>\n