Red Cross Honors Senior Volunteers

It began as just a “good idea” 13 years ago, Harold Hoaglan remembered, a chance to put his retirement to better use. Today, the 79-year-old former Lockheed flight test mechanic spends about two days a week helping the American Red Cross with blood drives across the San Fernando Valley with companion Alice Stone, 74.

“It makes us feel good and it’s good for us,” he said.

Recently, the pair received the agency’s highest honor for Southern California volunteers, the Lorraine Spillner Award, named for a 40-year volunteer. Invited to a recognition luncheon in Pasadena with the promise of nothing more than a nice meal, the Sylmar couple said they were shocked and flattered by the tribute.

“We said, ‘Us, really?’ ” Stone recalled. “We didn’t think we had done enough.”

But they have. For years, Stone and Hoaglan have donated their time assisting bloodmobile nurses from the Red Cross’ Van Nuys chapter. Stone registers donors as they arrive while Hoaglan helps them as they depart with refreshments in the “canteen.”

“We always go together,” he said.

Hoaglan said he especially likes the feedback he receives from the nurses and blood donors and hopes other older men and women will follow his example.

“In this day and age there are a lot of senior citizens that are idle, and that’s a good opportunity to do something,” he said.

How long will they continue to volunteer? “As long as we’re able to,” Stone said.

Other Red Cross volunteers honored at the event were Florence Stephens of Tujunga and Virginia Tydeman of Woodland Hills, who were cited for outstanding service in scheduling blood drive volunteers, and Robert Ignowski of Van Nuys, who was recognized for serving the greatest number of volunteer assignments.