Red Cross Honors Humanitarians & Nation’s Top Volunteer 

(PHOENIX) May 7, 2009 — The American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter is awarding a Deborah King Humanitarian Award to Warren Goodrich, community volunteer, and to TriWest Healthcare Alliance, at the Community Leaders Breakfast held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix on Thursday, May 7, 2009. Additionally, Kate Forbes, of Phoenix, will be recognized as the national organization's number one volunteer.

The Deborah King awards are given to those who have demonstrated their commitment and support to the American Red Cross locally and nationally through their generous contributions of resources, knowledge and time. The award pays tribute to a humanitarian who served the Red Cross for more than 30 years, Deborah King. To honor her legacy of caring and service, her husband, John, established these awards in her name.

Warren Goodrich, of Scottsdale, is the recipient of the Deborah King Individual Award. He has been helping Arizonans through the work of the Red Cross for more than 20 years. Goodrich has served in leadership roles including Board Chair and Chair of Volunteers. For more than 10 years he has spearheaded the annual volunteer recognition event. “I am truly honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Goodrich. “I have seen the Red Cross in action and know the deep impact the organization has on turning lives around.”

TriWest Healthcare Alliance – a private company that contracts with the Department of Defense to administer the military’s healthcare program – is the recipient of the Deborah King Corporate Award. TriWest provides active duty, guard and reserve service members with emergency communications, financial assistance, counseling and assistance to veterans. “We’re committed to improving and enhancing the lives of military families, and our partnership with the Red Cross has positively impacted countless lives throughout our state,” said Dave McIntyre, TriWest Healthcare Alliance Chief Executive Officer.

Also at the event, Kate Forbes, of Phoenix, was recognized for receiving the national organization’s highest award for volunteer service. The Harriman Award is given to one volunteer a year. Forbes’s Red Cross volunteer career has taken to local, state, national and international levels. Twenty-seven years ago Kate served on the Central Arizona Chapter’s Board of Directors. Now, she chairs the first-ever Audit Committee of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. During her term as the National Chair of Volunteers, Kate strengthened the volunteer base and created strategies to help chapters build youth programs.

Published Date: 05/18/2009