During her six years as president of the United Way of the CSRA, Jo Endres Maypole was impressed by the American Red Cross of Augusta on many levels.

Now, as the Red Cross' executive director, she looks to those same strengths to help her lead the organization.

"People who get involved with the Red Cross tend to make this part of a long-term service commitment," said Dr. Maypole, who took over the organization July 1.

She was the United Way president from 2000-06. Her most recent position was with MCG Health Inc. as development director.

Volunteers are integral to the success of the Red Cross, she said.

"When a disaster happens, lots of people want to respond," she said. "To really be able to respond, we have to have trained volunteers."

There are about 150 trained disaster volunteers in the area.

"They are on standby, ready to respond," she said.

The organization's youth board has more than 200 middle and high school volunteers.

Volunteers also work to prevent tragedies from happening. Red Cross volunteers train people in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

"A gentleman from one of our CPR classes saved the life of a co-worker," she said. "Nine of out 10 lifeguards are trained by the Red Cross."

The Red Cross has long been involved with emergency services for the armed forces.

"Traditionally, that means connecting family and service members in times of a family emergency," she said.

Dr. Maypole said she is seeking a grant from the national Red Cross that would allow the local organization to work with wounded soldiers in the Department of Veterans Affairs system.

"That, to me, would be a good example of taking a traditional program and looking at the community to see what are the most pressing needs," she said. "In this community, one of those needs is service to wounded warriors."

Dr. Maypole also is developing a speakers bureau to tell about the work the Red Cross is doing in the community.

To find out more about the American Red Cross of Augusta, which has been around since 1917, call (706) 724-8481.

Reach Charmain Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.