2 Saskatchewan Residents Receive Highest Red Cross Honor | The Canadian News

Two Humanitarians from Saskatchewan have received the highest honor of the Canadian Red Cross.

Barb Thompson and Doug Reid join a small group of Canadians who are members of the Order of the Red Cross.

Both facilitators have dedicated countless hours to people from all over the country and have trained more than 200 volunteers.

Reid has spent around 14 years with the organization.

Starting in administration, he helped shape the future of the Red Cross in Saskatchewan by being a strong voice in merging the two locations in the province.

“It’s nice to have this honor, but we have to keep in mind that it’s not about me, it’s about how we are helping the less fortunate not just here in Canada but around the world,” Reid said.

As for Thompson, he has spent most of his life being a member of the Red Cross family, starting in elementary school together with his family.

She is recognized for her work in disaster management and training throughout Canada.

“It is really impressive that if you are chosen for this, it is a great honor,” Thompson said.

After having overcome many natural disasters and having helped thousands of people along the way, there are moments that stand out for the couple.

For Reid, it was the 2010 North Battleford floods that brought more than 60 millimeters of rain and flooded about 200 homes.

“With three employees, we ended up having between 1,000 and 1,500 people coming to Battlefords,” said Doug.

Thompson recalled a memory that, for her, represents the purpose of the Red Cross.

A man she presumes was 50 years old lost his home and his life job due to wildfires in Kamloops, BC.

“When he came in, he had his head down, he was very depressed and his shoulders were slumped and when he came out, he had his head up and his shoulders were straight and he walked out the door,” Thompson said.

According to Luc Mullinder, vice president of the Saskatchewan Red Cross, the two are more than worthy of the award.

“These two really embody what it’s like to be a Canadian Red Crosser,” Mullinder said.