During a recent visit to Sault Ste. Marie, I met a local volunteer, Jean Wyatt, who showed me her Red Cross pin collection.
She has been involved with the Red Cross for more than a decade - both as a client and volunteer. She was deployed to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina and she picked up some pretty neat pins along the way.
Red Crossers love their pins and some pins have been saved for more than 100 years.
Across the border, there are many collectors who post guides on pins, old and new. While there is no real value placed on the pins, to some, Red Cross memorabilia is priceless.
My own 92-year-old grandmother has a Canadian Red Cross pin from her volunteer service during the war. She is in a nursing home now and I am lucky that she gave me the pin for safe keeping. As a Red Crosser, I am especially proud of it. It sits on my desk to inspire me while I work.
I've seen many Red Cross pins, but I have yet to see a collection like Jean's, so I thought to share some of it with you. Our friend, photographer Johan Hallberg-Campbell, shot these images for us.
If you have any Red Cross pins, please take a photo and send them to me at karen.snider@redcross.ca. We'll create an online collection!