There are times in our lives when we are excited about change.
As we grow older and more comfortable with our lives, change often becomes something we try to avoid. But change sometimes can be exciting, and, hey, sometimes we really need to shake things up in our lives.
My life is getting ready to have a really big shake-up. After living in Southwest Colorado for most of my life, I am moving to Wyoming. My husband, Bill, was hired this summer as the division chief for Campbell County Fire Department in northeast Wyoming, near Gillette.
In addition, I will be taking over as the disaster program manager for the Red Cross for the state of Wyoming. This will allow me to expand my disaster-response and preparedness training skills and teach a whole new group of volunteers and residents about what the Red Cross can do in their state. I am excited about the opportunity this new move provides us.
I’ve been asked several times about where this leaves the Southwest Colorado Red Cross. My departure will have no effect on local Red Cross services. We have so many dedicated and highly trained volunteers in our area who will carry on our tradition of service just like before.
They will be there to help with our clients after a house fire, there to offer a hot cup of coffee to our emergency responders and there in case of a larger-scale disaster in our community.
They will be there to teach our residents how to prepare themselves and their family members for power outages, winter storms or wildfires.
We will still make sure that members of the community are trained in CPR and first aid through our Licensed Training Providers.
The American Red Cross is more than just one person in one town; it is a large network of caring and trained personnel who will be there whenever and wherever they are needed.
In other words, nothing will change. I may be gone from Southwest Colorado, but there is a large group of volunteers who will take my place.
The Red Cross will soon start the search for a new executive director for the local chapter. It will ensure that the very best candidate will be chosen to lead our dedicated volunteers and provide a high level of service to our clients, our emergency responders and our residents.
It has been my pleasure to serve all of you for the last 6½ years. I am thankful for the support you have given me.
Cindi Shank recently stepped down after 6½ years as executive director of the Southwest Colorado chapter of the American Red Cross. She has accepted a position with Red Cross as disaster program manager for the state of Wyoming.
