AmeriCorps Week Volunteer Spotlight: Stephanie Stachow

In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2011 we asked our own AmeriCorps members what their Red Cross experience has meant to them. 

"When you join AmeriCorps you are told that this will be the one of the most difficult, but also one of the most rewarding years of your life. Since starting my year as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in the Metro NY Red Cross’s Youth Services Department, I’ve worked on more than 7 major projects with our 20 High School Red Cross Clubs.

But if I had to pick one event that really stood out, it would be our annual Let It Rock Benefit, a concert for youth volunteers, planned by youth volunteers. True to the AmeriCorps axiom, I couldn’t have even begun to imagine the months of planning it took make this event a reality. Every waking moment was consumed by training club leaders to recruit performers and sell tickets, working with youth volunteers to make musical note- and guitar-shaped decorations, and last-minute text messaging about cupcake donations and how to use a sound mixer. If one person tried to pull off this event, it would be absolutely impossible. Yet the night of the concert, as I watched our youth volunteers and guests wave their glow sticks in time to the drum beats and guitar riffs, all the sleepless nights were worth it. It takes a team to make a real difference and I’m glad to be part of the AmeriCorps and American Red Cross teams."

–Stephanie Stachow, AmeriCorps VISTA