New director brings enthusiasm to Red Cross

WASILLA -- Under new leadership, the future looks bright for the Mat-Su Red Cross branch.

In her second week of work as the program director for the Mat-Su branch of the Southcentral Alaska Chapter of the American Red Cross, Tanya Larrabbee is in the midst of learning all she can about the organization. With new paint on the walls and a fresh attitude, Larrabbee said she's looking forward to bringing a spark of motivation to existing volunteers and expanding the group's pool of volunteers.

Larrabbee hails from a primarily retail and sales background, which she said had a close focus on customer service.

"I've been working since I was 15 years old," Larrabbee said, "and basically every job that I have had has had a lot of public contact."

The skills she has gleaned through past work, Larrabbee said, have prepared her for the public and education-driven job directing the Mat-Su chapter of this well-known organization.

"A lot of people don't really know what the Red Cross does," Larrabbee said. In fact, she said, she didn't know until recently the extent of the organization's offerings. In addition to disaster aid, Larrabbee said, she plans to help businesses and area residents understand the importance of disaster prevention and preparedness.

"Most people are not really prepared," Larrabbee said.

But her priority, she said, will be to expand the branch's list of volunteers. With about 30 volunteers currently, many of whom have been volunteering since during or shortly after the Miller's Reach fire, the list of ready responders is dwindling.

"A lot of the volunteers have gone into retirement," Larrabbee said. "We've got to get more volunteers down here."

And she's hoping a large part of the new volunteer work force will come from teens. Larrabbee said she plans to tap into contacts made with a team of AmeriCorps volunteers she went through training with to find new volunteers in area schools. She also plans to contact homeschooling families and find ways to coordinate the training and community service with their curriculum.

"We've got to get a new breed of volunteer in here," Larrabbee said. "It's unbelievable the things we could get out there and do. I'm hoping through these channels I can help spark some enthusiasm."

Homeschoolers or others interested in volunteering can contact the Mat-Su branch at 357-6060.