SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/15/2011)(readMedia)-- As a former New Orleans resident, Mari Richardson of Athens saw the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina first hand. Since then, she decided to volunteer with the American Red Cross. She has been with the Red Cross for two years and has worked a lot with the Illinois National Guard. Richardson now works as a liaison between the Red Cross and Illinois National Guard's Family Readiness Group (FRG), keeping families of deployed Soldiers in contact with their loved ones.
"When my husband deployed during Vietnam, the FRG didn't exist and we really needed something like it," said Richardson.
She also helps with a program called Mail for Heroes, which sends holiday cards to deployed troops overseas. Most recently, she worked with a Girl Scout troop to send personalized Valentine's Day cards to servicemembers.
Richardson's work does not stop with the FRG and holiday cards. She also helps facilitate the annual ceremony for fallen Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield. This year's event will be May 14.
"I lost two uncles during war and I saw how devastated and hurt my grandmother was; it has stuck with me all my life," Richardson said.
Richardson said she loves what she does for the Army and feels very passionate about her experience. Her hope is to build a strong unit, to contribute to "anything new which might improve the past."
Richardson's job with the Red Cross has earned her a lot of respect throughout the Illinois National Guard community.
"Mari is so modest and does so much more than most people realize," said Annette Chapman of Atlanta, Illinois National Guard State Family Readiness support assistant. "She helps our family readiness groups coordinate child care, attends deployment and homecoming ceremonies, promotes the National Guard throughout our communities and does so much more than you could imagine. The Illinois National Guard is blessed to have this special woman on our team."
Richardson said volunteers contribute time, effort and talent to meet a need and further a mission. She said the easiest way to help the Illinois National Guard is to contact the Red Cross or the FRG.
"Volunteers are always needed for the Army and the Army doesn't turn down the help," she said.
Story by Spc. Zachary Zimerman, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
