BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WARFIELD — A Warfield man was awarded Red Cross Eastern Kentucky “Volunteer of the Year” for 2022.
Jamie Taylor received the award based on his continued service, commitment to deployments regardless of the location or situation, desire to help those in need, and the way he represents the American Red Cross.
Taylor has been a dedicated volunteer for the last seven years and has 61 deployments to his credit.
“It’s an honor to be acknowledged for the time I have devoted to assisting the needs of others during some of the most trying times of their lives,” Taylor said. “I plan to continue my efforts for several more years to come. My goal is to have at least 100 deployments to my credit before ever considering stepping away. I’m hopeful I will be able to accomplish that goal.”
Taylor was a community-minded individual but never gave much thought to volunteering with an organization outside the area. That changed in March 2015 when Martin County was hit by a flooding event that brought in Red Cross volunteers from Ohio and Louisville. The out-of-town volunteers were unfamiliar with the layout of the county, and when Taylor became aware of their dilemma, he offered to act as their guide.
Seeing firsthand what the assistance of these volunteers meant to those in need, Taylor signed on with Red Cross and has been volunteering ever since.
“We’ve always heard about the Red Cross stepping in to help when a disaster occurs, but most people are not aware that the response teams are volunteers from all across the country, from different walks of life, who simply have one objective in common — and that is to help those in need,” Taylor said. “We respond to all types of natural and weather-related disasters such as flooding, tornadoes/straight-line winds, forest fires, hurricanes, and house fires, among others. We also assist with local blood drives.”
Thus far, Sacramento, Calif., is Taylor’s deployment farthest from home. He went there in early 2021 when the area was ravaged by forest fires. Some 8,619 wildfires destroyed nearly 2.6 million acres, claimed three lives, and destroyed or damaged 3,629 structures.
“Seeing firsthand the devastation that occurred there is something I will never forget,” said Taylor. “Although I was one person in a sea of volunteers, each of us was of vital importance and were assigned jobs that were critical in providing temporary assistance and relief. There’s a feeling of teamwork and camaraderie among volunteers that gives you a feeling that is indescribable. What we do matters; we are needed.”
Taylor has also volunteered with Team Rubicon-South Branch (covering Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas) since September 2019. The organization joins veterans and civilians together to create a unique emergency response.
When asked to name the single worst tornado disaster he had responded to in the last seven years, he quickly said the tornado in Mayfield in his home state.
“There was so much devastation,” explained Taylor. “Words can’t even begin to do it justice. Death, injuries, entrapment, families frantically searching for loved ones, homes and businesses wiped off the face of the earth. It was a terrible time for many.”
Thus far in 2022, Taylor was deployed to Oklahoma City over the Memorial Day weekend to assist tornado victims. He also went to an area of New Mexico ravaged by forest fires. With hurricane season set to begin in a couple of months, the volunteer is confident he will see more action.
Red Cross covers plane tickets, lodging, rental cars and meals when Taylor travels.
“They take care of all that,” he said. “I just have to show up and be ready to hit the ground running.”
Anyone interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer can visit the website redcrossvolunteersconnection.org.
“No matter your age, walk of life, whether you’re employed or retired, there’s a role you can play with this worthwhile organization,” remarked Taylor. “If you can’t travel because of your job, family or other restrictions, there’s plenty right here in our local area. Getting involved with the Red Cross is one of the best decisions I ever made.”