U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --
The Air Force Academy was recognized by the Red Cross Feb. 17 for its Cadet Service Leadership Day volunteer work in Pueblo.
Mike Lee, the Cadet Service Leadership coordinator at the Center for Character and Leadership Development, and Cadets 1st Class Danielle Kaufman and Ryan Kissinger were presented a Red Cross medal on behalf of the Cadet Wing at the Red Cross’ Hometown Heroes Dinner for organizing scores of cadets who installed 690 fire alarms in homes across Pueblo Sept. 25.
The volunteer work was part of the American Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, a project launched in 2014 to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent, said Red Cross spokesman William Fortune.
“Most alarms were installed in mobile home parks across the southern part of the city,” Fortune said. “Many of these homes didn’t have working fire alarms; the cadets replaced the alarms, installed new alarms and tested them.”
Lee served as the go-between for the cadet wing and the various nonprofit organizations in the Colorado Springs area, while Kaufman organized the cadet volunteers.
“I say to the service organizations, ‘give me the projects no one else feels they can do. We have the aptitude, drive, and muscle to accomplish them,”’ Lee said. “One common trait we find among cadets is their desire to serve the community.”
Kaufman said community service is a way for cadets to “pay it forward.”
“[Community service] stands as a constant reminder to remain humble and grateful for the opportunities we have been given,” she said.
Fortune said some residents were a bit surprised to find someone in uniform knocking on their door.
“Once they realized the purpose of [the cadets’] visit, they were very friendly,” he said.
Cadet 1st Class Drew Philips said he’s a longtime volunteer for Red Cross events. “The Red Cross responds to home fires more than any other disaster,” he said. “It’s a relief knowing these families were better protected as a result of our efforts.”