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== Other Awards and Commendations == | == Other Awards and Commendations == | ||
=== Amanda Westervelt: 2021 National CERT Volunteer of the Year === | |||
At the July ''CERT 2021 National Conference'' ‘Vision for the Future’ in Springfield, Missouri, one of Richmond NET’s own was named the National CERT Volunteer of the Year from a pool of nominees from across the country. True to the spirit of the award, she gave us her best Rosie the Riveter pose. | |||
Amanda will be the first person to point out that all of these efforts require a team, and that this award reflects the combined work of the NETs and other volunteers with whom she has collaborated. | |||
Starting in April 2020, Amanda led work of the Portland Mask Project (PMP). While responding to COVID-19, the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) recognized a significant need for supplies of durable face coverings for historically underserved communities. Under Amanda’s volunteer leadership, PMP mobilized 62 volunteers to cut, sew, and package 11,731 cloth face coverings over the course of 6,648 volunteer hours (and counting). Amanda and the volunteers worked together to design the mask, sewing them for both adults and children. Amanda worked in concert with Portland ECC Logistics to distribute the masks through 19 community-based organizations serving communities of color, immigrants, elders, and persons with disabilities. | |||
While leading the mask project, Amanda also partnered with Meals on Wheels and NET to connect homebound elders and persons with disabilities to COVID-19 vaccine appointments and arranging transportation to and from appointments as needed. Facing intensely complicated logistics, Amanda took charge of 58 NET volunteers and organized five partner service providers to get vaccinations for 249 homebound persons. | |||
Finally, in August 2019, Amanda drew on her experience as a Girl Scouts troop leader to organize the first ever NETcamp. 102 CERT volunteers attended this three-day event of training (with 23 presentations) and community in the Oregon wilderness. Amanda arranged all the logistics to produce an event we’re excited to make an annual event after the COVID pandemic resolves. | |||
Amanda’s initiative, hard work, and imagination serve as an example to CERT volunteers everywhere, embodying the spirit of what volunteers can do to save lives and create communities. The programs Amanda has led will also provide blueprints for how Portland trains and deploys volunteers; and, how Portland Emergency Management can best serve the most vulnerable persons in our city. | |||
Watch the [https://katu.com/news/local/everyday-heroes-net-volunteers-lifetime-of-lending-a-helping-hand-to-neighbors KATU Everyday Heroes segment] featuring Amanda. | |||
=== December 2014 Wind Storm: Fire Chief's Certificate === | === December 2014 Wind Storm: Fire Chief's Certificate === | ||