Meet January “Do the Right Thing” winner Rosemarie Asia
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – Do The Right Thing January winner Rosemarie Asia may hold the record for the fastest donation of her Integrity Automotive prize money, ever. Almost immediately after winning it, she turned it over to Red Cross Executive Director Julia Wright.
Asia said, "I could have used it, but you know what, the Red Cross can use it better for our clients, so, hey. Pass it forward."
Wright added, "It’s not unexpected of her. I mean she gives so much of her time, when she says 8-10, sometimes she’s working way more hours than that. She is one of our rocks here. She trains many volunteers, not only does she volunteer but she trains others on how to do what she does and helps us build a team."
Asia’s volunteered more than 700 hours just since June, and that’s partly why Red Cross employees say she acts as the non-profit’s backbone.
Jamie Lewis works as the Disaster Program Manager. He said, "It’s everything. Without people like Rose Marie, we wouldn’t exist," he said, adding, "She’s a very dedicated volunteer. I mean, she is one of the most dedicated that we have."
For Asia, volunteering with the Red Cross is very personal. She explained, "They were there for me. In 1982 in New York. I lost everything and they were there for me, again, pass it forward."
Now she can tell people who are probably experiencing the worst day of their lives that they can survive it, adding, "It’s a connection that I’m able to make with them. The suffering and what they’re going through and I say you know what? You’re not alone. I’ve been there. So smile, have faith and keep on going. It’s going to work."
Lewis said, "We are very blessed to have her, and the community of Chattanooga is very blessed to have her serving."
Asia said, "I could have used it, but you know what, the Red Cross can use it better for our clients, so, hey. Pass it forward."
Wright added, "It’s not unexpected of her. I mean she gives so much of her time, when she says 8-10, sometimes she’s working way more hours than that. She is one of our rocks here. She trains many volunteers, not only does she volunteer but she trains others on how to do what she does and helps us build a team."
Asia’s volunteered more than 700 hours just since June, and that’s partly why Red Cross employees say she acts as the non-profit’s backbone.
Jamie Lewis works as the Disaster Program Manager. He said, "It’s everything. Without people like Rose Marie, we wouldn’t exist," he said, adding, "She’s a very dedicated volunteer. I mean, she is one of the most dedicated that we have."
For Asia, volunteering with the Red Cross is very personal. She explained, "They were there for me. In 1982 in New York. I lost everything and they were there for me, again, pass it forward."
Now she can tell people who are probably experiencing the worst day of their lives that they can survive it, adding, "It’s a connection that I’m able to make with them. The suffering and what they’re going through and I say you know what? You’re not alone. I’ve been there. So smile, have faith and keep on going. It’s going to work."
Lewis said, "We are very blessed to have her, and the community of Chattanooga is very blessed to have her serving."
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