Graves named director of Red Cross chapter

Ann Graves has been selected as the new executive director of the Wilkes-Alleghany Chapter of the American Red Cross. The announcement was made this week by Judith Walsh, chairman of the board of directors for the chapter.

The position has been filled on an interim basis by Jim Gray since Scott Glaze resigned from the position in July.

Mrs. Graves has an educational background in respiratory therapy but her career has been in banking. She and her husband, Tom, have lived in eastern Wilkes since 1994. She raises, rides and trains Arabian horses.

Mrs. Graves serves with Communities In Schools and with Old Wilkes Inc. as a trustee and member of several committees. She told Red Cross officials that she felt a strong need to "work with and to help others."

Though Mrs. Graves' background is in banking, she said that she returned to work in this position, "because I prefer to do something meaningful with a job in which I can give back to the community. Tom and I picked this place to live, and we love it here. I'm looking forward to serving the citizens of our coverage area.

"This will be a challenge, perhaps even one of the most demanding challenges I have ever faced," she said. "But I intend to face it with enthusiasm."

The search committee, chaired by Ralph Langley, received 29 applications. Langley stated that the chapter will be able to move forward and make a greater presence in Wilkes, Alleghany and Ashe counties as well as raise funds to carry out the local mission of the Red Cross under Mrs. Graves' leadership. He added, "we are expecting big things."

Mrs. Walsh said that the overwhelming reason for the committee's selection of Mrs. Graves was her passion for the job and her compassion toward individuals.

The chapter plans and directs blood donor drives that exceed the collection of 7,000 units per year. The chapter provides shelter, clothing vouchers, food vouchers and medicine vouchers for those who have endured the tragedy of a single/multi family fire. Also, the chapter certifies over 2,000 individuals in first aid/CPR each year.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back