She can jump bridges in a single bound.

Well, not exactly but volunteer Ora Kuckkan does have a bridge in Watertown named after her. In many ways though, it seems like Ora can jump bridges because of her positive can do attitude.

To her, volunteering is not a hobby; it's a mission. That's probably why to many in Watertown, Ora is the Red Cross.

It might be because she attracts 200 plus blood donors to her bi-monthly drives at Turner Hall. Or maybe it's her work as the Watertown Disaster Action Team (DAT) Day Team Leader. Possibly, her traveling disaster preparedness presentation that she gives for local organizations might be the cause.

Whatever the reason, Ora is more than happy to deliver Red Cross services to the surrounding area.
Ora came to the Red Cross through her friend, Mary Connor, a longtime Red Cross volunteer. Though it has been difficult for Ora to lose a woman she describes as her sister and fellow Red Cross advocate, Ora has worked very hard to carry on the work she and her friend did for more than 10 years. With help from Mary's daughter, Ora publicizes and coordinates each blood drive at Turner Hall. She took over as DAT Day Team Leader, which means she calls out the Watertown Day Team to respond to disasters anywhere in Jefferson County and Watertown. Ora takes the responsibility seriously, and personally helps with and responds to every call.

Though there are not many disasters in Jefferson County, Ora's Red Cross work extends beyond response. She is stopped on the street with requests for her presentations filled with Red Cross information about preparing for a disaster and what to put in a disaster preparedness kit. Sometimes, she even takes her message---or coordinates interviews with other Red Cross staff---on the airwaves through her involvement with the local television cable channel. 

Believe it or not, this amazing lady even has time to volunteer for other organizations, spend time with her husband and enjoy her favorite hobby, cooking. Through it all, she is very grateful for what she has and uses that sense to give back to the community. "I have been blessed with good health and my husband, Louie. The reward for my work is that I get to help other people. That's a great reward."