Don Bustin, a Norton Shores resident, is this year’s recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award given out annually by the American Red Cross.

The award was presented on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at the Annual American Red Cross Volunteer and Blood Donor Recognition event held in Muskegon.

Bustin joined the American Red Cross in 1996 when he took the training to become a disaster volunteer. He responds to local disasters, many of which are single family house fires. By providing the Red Cross financial assistance and emotional support, Bustin helps families survive the crisis and begin rebuilding their lives. He is also a member of the National Disaster Program and has gone on assignments in Texas, West Virginia, New Jersey, and eastern Ohio.

Bustin quickly displayed a strong commitment to the American Red Cross mission of helping others and almost immediately took on additional leadership role within the Disaster Program. He became Disaster Chairman and is responsible for leading, scheduling and training other disaster volunteers. The team's plan for both large scale and small disasters through training's, holding simulated disasters and by creating an organized network of response.

“Don Bustin has raced to the scene of many house fires, at all times of the day or night, and has provided help to countless families who have been burned out of their homes,” said Steve Olsen, Chapter Chairman. “He has also been instrumental in training other volunteers in Muskegon, Oceana, and Newaygo Counties to respond to disasters and to work compassionately with the families affected.”

Bustin is also caretaker for the Emergency Response Vehicle. This vehicle is used on all kinds of local and national disasters and can feed up to 300 victims or workers at the site of a disaster. Most recently, the vehicle traveled to Ground Zero in New York, with local disaster volunteers. Bustin trains other volunteer drivers to operate and maintain the vehicle.

In addition to his disaster volunteer work, Bustin assists with the Chapter’s annual CPR Saturday and with many special events and projects.

Bustin is a member and past President of Kiwanis, as well as Board Member of Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation that provides recreational therapists and supplies for children of Mary Free Bed Hospital, CS Mott Children’s Hospital and the Detroit Children’s Hospital.

For the past 30 years, he has been Cub Master and Assistant Scoutmaster to Troop 1053 in Norton Shores. He also volunteers at Camp Gerber during the summer and assists with trips to the Upper Peninsula for Merit Badges.

Bustin retired as Sales Manager from Nichols Paper Company on October 11, 1996 and took his first disaster training with the American Red Cross on the following morning. He lives in Norton Shores with his wife, Marie, who is also a trained disaster volunteer for the American Red Cross.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given out annually to a volunteer who has exhibited exceptional service and commitment to the American Red Cross and its services.