Countywide : Red Cross Honors Aquatic Volunteers

Six water-loving volunteers have been honored for their aquatic contributions ceremony by the Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In total, the six have logged more than 200 years of water safety volunteerism for the Red Cross.

After nearly half a century of teaching swimming and aquatics to the handicapped, 77-year-old Irma Kackert of Thousand Oaks has no intention of throwing in the towel.

“Everybody should volunteer,” Kackert said. “It’s a great feeling to help people learn to swim, to watch them overcome their fear of the water.”

Fellow honoree Herb Suskin of Oxnard agreed. “It’s really gratifying when you help people,” said Suskin, 58, a volunteer CPR, water safety and first aid instructor who for 27 years has helped countless students sail through his courses. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

For the Red Cross, volunteers such as Kackert and Suskin are lifesavers. “Volunteers are the heart of the Red Cross,” said volunteer health and safety services Chairman Herb Frost.

The local Red Cross chapter’s 500 volunteers “have devoted their time to teaching . . . skills that can be used to save a life,” Frost said.

The other volunteers honored in a ceremony last weekend for more than 25 years of work were Cheryl Holt, Herb Frost, Karon Carpenter and Larry Morris, all of Ventura. Each volunteer honored at the ceremony received a certificate and a pin.

Those interested in volunteering or in taking a first aid, CPR or water safety course may call the Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross at 643-9928.