Bexar County Citizen Corps Volunteer Receives Presidential Volunteer Service Award

President Bush honored local Citizen Corps Volunteer Gloria Sanchez for her service to the local Fire Corps and Community Emergency Response Team Thursday during a presidential stop in Texas. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, President George W. Bush launched the Citizen Corps initiative to inspire and enable Americans to find ways to serve their communities and their countries. The President has called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years of their lives – the equivalent of 4,000 hours – in service to others.

Gloria Sanchez has led a life of service to the community. She was instrumental in starting a Neighborhood Watch Program in her area, and was also involved in the grassroots effort to start a Citizen Corps Council in the Alamo region. She actively recruits volunteers to go through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and on a few occasions has hosted CERT trainings in her home and at the Ata-Bexar Volunteer Fire Department where she also volunteers and sits on the Board of Directors. She regularly hosts fundraisers for the volunteer fire department.

Gloria joined the Bexar County Emergency Scene Rehab (E.S.R.), a CERT and Fire Corps program, in 2004. The Rehab program is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization that provides on scene support to first responders at an emergency site. She responds regularly as a volunteer with the South unit of E.S.R. Bexar County E.S.R., located in Northwest San Antonio.

During Hurricane Katrina, Gloria volunteered over 300 hours helping set up shelters and staging areas for incoming evacuees. She personally recruited volunteers, sorted donated items, and helped serve food to evacuees, volunteers and emergency personnel.

“We appreciate all the people who serve our local communities as volunteers. Volunteering to support local first responders through Citizen Corps is an excellent way to make your community safer and better prepared”, said Regina Chapline, Texas Citizen Corps Manager. Citizen Corps programs include the Community Emergency Response Team, Fire Corps, the Medical Reserve Corps Program, Neighborhood Watch Program, and Volunteers in Police Service.