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Technical sergeant wins Red Cross' Carroll Award

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  • By Senior Airman John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Tech Sgt. Mark Hendrick, 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron chief of programs information manager, was presented the Red Cross’ Bill Carroll Award May 8. 

The Bill Carroll award is given to the volunteer of the year, said Nancy Cataldo, Red Cross director of service center operations for the central South Carolina chapter. 

The award was named after a man who was extremely dedicated to his volunteer work with the Red Cross, until he passed away in January 1997, said Mrs. Cataldo. 

Sgt. Hendrick was presented the award for many reasons, mainly for his volunteerism with the Red Cross. 

“Sgt. Hendrick has a passion and commitment to the American Red Cross mission to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies,” Mrs. Cataldo said. “Sgt. Hendrick is frequently called upon by the Tri County Service Center to teach CPR and first aid classes. He is always there when we need him, even at the last minute, when other instructors call in sick or are unable to teach.” 

“Overall, Sgt. Hendrick has taught 10 classes (in CPR, first aid and babysitting), and trained 47 students,” she said. He put in 57 hours of volunteer service. 

“Sgt. Hendrick has also furthered his commitment to the mission of the Red Cross by volunteering to cross-train to be a disaster instructor,” Mrs. Cataldo said. “He will be trained in disaster health services to assist in shelters.” 

Sgt. Hendrick has been a Red Cross volunteer for over 10 years and remembers why he started. 

“My father died from a heart attack and I always wondered if I were there, would there have been something that I could have done to help,” Sgt. Hendrick said. “This inspired me to get emergency response training and teach others to help them be more prepared.” 

Aside from his volunteer work, Sgt. Hendrick is also praised by his supervisor. 

“Sgt. Hendrick has always gone above and beyond,” said Master Sgt. Cline Dunbar, 20th EMS systems superintendent. “He takes care of everything I ask of him and he is very professional.” 

All of these reasons are why Sgt. Hendrick is truly deserving of the Bill Carroll Award, Mrs. Cataldo said.