LAST Wednesday, more than 40 local Red Cross members and volunteers gathered for a special morning tea at the Bomaderry Hotel to mark World Red Cross Day.
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The venue was chosen because in 1918 it was established as the Red Cross Convalescent home, which took in over 900 wounded and sick soldiers.
Red Cross branch members would donate not only their time but support, gifts, money, food, chickens and pigs.
Shirley Santwyk, president of the Nowra branch and volunteer store manager, described her work as an “uplifting job” and encouraged others to become involved.
“People need something like this as an outlet to meet people. It is a selfless job and it stops you from worrying about your own problems,” she said.
Mrs Santwyk said volunteers worldwide and locally devoted their time by reaching out to victims of crisis.
“There is always a demand for new volunteers and the hours are always flexible to meet all needs,” she said.
The local Red Cross branch aims to raise enough funds to publish a book to acknowledge its centenary year and the contributions made by members and non-members.
