Red Cross honors its own Hometown Hero

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - A person who volunteers tirelessly to help disaster victims wherever she's needed is a hometown hero.

The Pioneer Valley Red Cross recognizes Bobi Steingart's extraordinary capacity for helping people during a crisis.

Western Massachusetts has long been familiar with Bobi Steingart's passion for volunteer work locally, but when Hurricane Katrina struck , Bobi's need to help others reached out to the devastated Gulf Coast. "When Katrina happened, it was so large and such a need, that I felt I could help a little way too, maybe I could help a little more."said Bobi Steingart, Hometown Hero.

Becoming a member of the Pioneer Valley Red Cross National Disaster Team has meant sharing a certain comradeship with other volunteers from all over the country, who feel just as fervently as she does about helping others. "It was just seeing that you were helping somebody find hope in this catastrophe, in the unbelievable catastrophe, there's hope you're helping them feel that hope," explained Steingart.

It's her giving nature that helps inspire others, Bobi's become a legend among her peers at the Pioneer Valley Red Cross Chapter. "Every new volunteer that comes into the chapter just gets so inspired by Bobi and the work that she does," said Bobi's co-worker Brenda Brouillette, Pioneer Valley Red Cross Director Disaster Services.

It was Bobi's longtime friend and fellow teacher Betty Haberlin who nominated her as a Hometown Hero. Bobi frequently visits Betty at the Jewish nursing home in Longmeadow. "She likes people, she enjoys doing things for them. I just love her, I can't say anymore," said Haberlin.

For Bobi Steingart, being a Hometown Hero means sharing the honor with her fellow volunteers. "Because we all do this together. Each person is just one member of the larger team, so I accept this award in honor of all my Red Cross volunteers and workers," said Steingart.