Three decades of service recognised

From earthquakes, floods, fires, and snowstorms Lavina Anderson has seen a lot in her 30 years as a  disaster welfare and support volunteer. To mark her incredible service, she recently received Honorary Life Membership, awarded to people who’ve given exceptional service and dedication to Red Cross. 

Every year we recognise the service of our people through national honours and awards. We're a team of thousands of members and volunteers as well as hundreds of employees across the motu – from Kaitaia to Invercargill.

Based in Christchurch, Lavina is always the first to respond to calls to help during and after emergencies. Throughout her service she’s brought a sense of comfort and safety to people experiencing some of the worst times of their lives. Whether it’s sitting with someone at a Civil Defence Centre or delivering essential supplies to people’s homes, Lavina has done it all during her service to Red Cross. 

“It’s a great experience. It’s so rewarding when you’re able to help someone in their time of need. Just seeing the change in their demeanour and their attitude – from going from really heightened to being able to be calm and start to collect their thoughts,” she said.

Lavina’s service to our Movement goes above and beyond responding to emergencies and has seen her help with first aid, community events, and recovery programmes after the Canterbury Earthquakes. 

We aren’t the only ones to benefit from Lavina’s generosity. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she teaches Sunday school at the church’s Cashmere congregation. She’s also been a volunteer with New Zealand Police for 26 years and a Samoa Red Cross volunteer for nine years.

Lavina received a KiwiBank Local Hero Award for her work in 2012 with Wai Study Help, where she was a volunteer reading tutor for many years.

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Thank you to all our people for your contributions to our mission and Movement – we couldn’t do it without you. 

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