Kaiser Permanente and Points of Light Honor Exceptional Disaster Relief Volunteers With Award Created by President George H. W. Bush

ATLANTA, August 25, 2015 /3BL Media/ – Kaiser Permanente and Points of Light today announced that volunteers from across the country who served along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina are being honored with the Daily Point of Light Award. One honoree left in the middle of the night to get to Biloxi, Mississippi, to help coordinate evacuation. Another used the Internet to coordinate volunteers and resources. All honorees responded with exceptional efforts and left a lasting impact.  

The award, created by Points of Light founder President George H. W. Bush 25 years ago, showcases the power of individuals to tackle community needs through volunteer service.

Volunteers are vital in times of disaster. For Hurricane Katrina, which struck on Aug. 29, 2005, more than 1 million people were told to evacuate; most could not have done so without the services of dedicated volunteers.

“These eight extraordinary volunteers embody the spirit of the Daily Point of Light Award,” said Delores Morton, president of programs at Points of Light. “By answering the call to service in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and in continuing their good work today, they are shining examples of inspiration for all of us who see challenges in our communities and want to be part of the solution.”

Each Daily Point of Light Award winner receives a letter and certificate, signed by President George H. W. Bush.

The Daily Point of Light awardees are:

St. Bernard Project, Aug. 24 – Utilizing the strengths of key staff and AmeriCorps members, St. Bernard Project helped Hurricane Katrina survivors, especially those who were financially unstable, restore and rebuild their homes and neighborhoods.

Ann Drorbaugh and Dave Kopra, Aug. 25 – This couple fell in love with New Orleans, its people and its spirit, and continue to help restore the quintessential magic and charm of the city. Currently embarking on their 25th trip to New Orleans, the two have led multiple reconstruction projects in the area.

Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop, Aug. 26 – Arriving in the middle of the night, single mother Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop led efforts to evacuate survivors and restore the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina hit. She was an integral force during the immediate evacuation and continues her service by overseeing multiple reconstruction projects.

John and Mary Mueller, Aug. 27 – The call to serve doesn’t always come at the most opportune time, but that didn’t stop the Muellers from answering and moving to Louisiana. When they could have been preparing for retirement, the Muellers were volunteering as project leaders for various home reconstruction projects in the town of Chalmette.

Chandra Linnell, Aug. 28 – Shaken by the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, Chandra Linnell poured herself into reconstruction volunteering. Serving day and night while living in a HandsOn New Orleans bunk house, Linnell’s can-do attitude inspired countless volunteers.

David Campbell, Aug. 30 – Natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina can overwhelm those looking to help. David Campbell’s All Hands Volunteers leverages the Internet as a critical response tool to ensure both volunteers and resources are used to provide tangible results to those in need.

PJ and Marv Marshall, Sept. 1 – Our minds don’t always turn to the environmental degradation that occurs after a natural disaster; PJ and Marv Marshall help restore ecosystems and forests to their former glory. The duo founded Restore the Earth Foundation to ensure that Earth’s essential ecosystems are protected and restored after disaster strikes.

Joan Sawyer Cook, Sept. 2 – A dynamic leader of the 1st Street United Methodist Church and essential member of the HandsOn New Orleans team in the years following Hurricane Katrina, Joan Sawyer Cook is a pillar in her community. She actively mentors her neighbors, specifically youth, in realizing their full potential.

More than 5,500 volunteers across the country have received the Daily Point of Light Award for addressing a variety of issues in their communities. Points of Light accepts nominations year-round at www.pointsoflight.org/dailypointoflight.

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About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. We currently serve more than 10 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert medical teams are supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, care delivery and chronic disease management.

About Points of Light

Points of Light – the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages more than 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it matters most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.