Congratulations to February Volunteer of the Month for Fire/CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), Lea Ann Hirth.

Lea Ann has been on staff with Grace Community Church for over 15 years. As the Director of Community Services, she leads efforts to reach out to the community. This ministry encompasses outreaches to the Arlington Life Shelter, the Christian Women's Job Corp, Habitat For Humanity, and many others, as well as cooperative work with other city services such as Mission Arlington and The Red Cross.

Lea Ann led her church efforts to become an approved Red Cross Shelter, serving effectively in Hurricane Ike. She helped to found the Arlington Christian Disaster Network, a group of churches who partner with the City of Arlington to provide volunteer coordination and service to our city in times of crisis. She also provides leadership in bringing City of Arlington CERT Training to churches and volunteer organizations throughout our city. She helps the night shelter with coordinating and serving meals and with clothing and household donations. She has coordinated and hosted a car clinic (general repair and tune ups) for Christian women's Job Corp and Life Shelter. She is also a part of International humanitarian aid for volunteer disaster training and response to Israel.

Lea Ann along with her husband Billy organized and lead GraceCares, a ministry to bring comprehensive material, spiritual, and logistical assistance to communities affected by a natural or man-made disaster locally, nationally, and internationally. While organizing many teams of volunteers within Grace Community, Lea Ann also interfaces and cooperates with many city, state and national organizations that serve people in need. We are thankful to have Lea Ann Hirth as part of our leadership team for the City of Arlington CERT team!