Tim Downey: Wrapping up 20 Years of Red Cross Fundraising Service

“I am most looking forward to connecting with other alumni through ARCAN, hearing their stories and finding ways to volunteer.” 

Tim Downey began his career with the American Red Cross during the fall of 2005 as relief efforts continued following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and retires 20 years later, on October 24. It is estimated that Tim has raised more than $100 million during his Red Cross career.

One of Tim's fondest experiences with Red Cross happened following training in Geneva with the IFRC and the ICRC. “I traveled with a group of donors and fellow Red Crossers to Benin to witness a large measles vaccination campaign,” said Tim. “The groups included an interesting blend of interested donors and the wonderful actor Sydney Poitier. As the group traveled around rural Benin in vans to visit vaccination sites, our van became separated from the group and lost. We stumbled upon a group of young people waiting to be vaccinated. There was a table and a chair under a tree. That was the ‘vaccination office’ and there were a dozen or more young mothers and children waiting their turn. A small boy wearing a bright orange shirt asked me in French my name. We talked a bit, and I asked him to pose for a photo with me. Within minutes we were surrounded by a large group of youngsters who all wanted to be in the photos. This remains one of my best memories in twenty years.”

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Former Donut Dolly

Betsy Tanner Recalls Her Service with Pride

By Stephanie Kriner, freelance writer and ARCAN member

“We all wanted to do something for our country and for the men who did not have a choice about going or not. Being in college in the 60s with all the anti-war protests going on, we all wanted to find a way to give back.” 

It is clear that the former American Red Cross Donut Dolly performed her job with the kind of cheer required. When Betsy Tanner talks about the realities of volunteering in the midst of the Vietnam War, she tends to focus on the positives, such as doing her part to bring even small moments of happiness to the American soldiers thrown into battle and away from home for the first time. 

“We were there to bring some joy and a sense of caring,” Betsy explains about her role and the roles of other women who served in the Red Cross’ Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War. Originally named Donut Dollies for their work in World War II, when they actually served donuts and coffee to troops on the frontlines, during the Vietnam War, SRAO volunteers’ jobs thrust them into the war zone to provide soldiers with a morale boost. 

A Q&A with Peter Teahen - 

Includes his Around the World Flight to End Polio