DECATUR - Lisa Todd already had served 10 years as a Red Cross volunteer when a full-time position became available.

While the new job included some pay and benefits, it was not those rewards that enticed her to apply. She was more interested in the opportunity to teach people of all ages about safety, first aid and sanitation.

"I really love to teach and to be able to be with people," said Todd, 38, who works mostly in Shelby and Moultrie counties for the Mid-Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Todd's position is paid through AmeriCorps, a nationwide program launched in 1994 to fill the nation's needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.

Todd, married with three children, is one of about 1,600 AmeriCorps members serving statewide. Her duties include teaching grade school students about fire safety, first aid and how to stay safe with strangers; teaching preschool to kindergarten children sanitation, first aid and what to do if left at home alone; and instructing senior citizens on care for family members and winter preparedness.

Todd was hired to work full time at the Red Cross late last year, when an AmeriCorps-sponsored position became available.

"It's not a position to make a living off of," Todd said. "It's a passion position. You have to love what you're doing."

She earns a paycheck in the neighborhood of minimum wage, medical benefits and a $4,700 per year education award. Todd, who has worked as an emergency medical technician, plans to use her educational benefit to work on an associate's degree in emergency medicine.

While Todd is the first AmeriCorps member in Shelby County, there have been several who have worked for the Red Cross in Macon County in the past several years.

n n n

AmeriCorps, the domestic version of the Peace Corps, includes programs administered by a national agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and by state agencies.

Nearly half of the AmeriCorps members serving in the state during 2007-08, about 700, are administered by the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.

Scott Kimmel, Serve Illinois executive director, said those who work in state programs mainly perform direct service, such as mentoring or tutoring in after-school programs. Those who sign on with AmeriCorps VISTA might be employed in an office, helping develop community programs.

Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA, originated in 1964 to help solve problems found in the poorest communities. In 1993, the organization became part of AmeriCorps.

Kimmel said the state AmeriCorps program is fully funded by $6.25 million from the federal government during its current year.

Full-time AmeriCorps volunteers earn a minimum of $11,100 per year, with full health care and child care benefits. Education awards of $4,725 are earned each year, which may be used for college tuition, room, board, fees or paying student loans. A member may earn two awards for two years of work.

AmeriCorps volunteers can sign up at 17 or 18 years of age, depending on the program. Seniors also are encouraged to join.

"For the most part, these are young people in their early 20s," Kimmel said, adding that one AmeriCorps priority is to recruit from the baby boom generation.

n n n

Cindy Betts, 59, a Disaster Action Team volunteer before she began serving in AmeriCorps, was called upon to train students in CPR and the use of external defibrillators. She also taught young children how to wash their hands to prevent the spread of disease.

Jennifer Hendricks, health and safety director at the Mid-Illinois office, said Betts did a great job during her service year.

"We were able to reach so many organizations: churches, day cares, public schools," she said.

But Betts, whose husband died in August, left the AmeriCorps position to take a full-time job as the office receptionist because of financial necessity. Betts said she thoroughly enjoyed her year of service and had planned to serve a second year.

"I found I really liked going out and teaching little kids," Betts said. "It's quite enjoyable. I loved the kids. I liked working with the teachers. We have some wonderful teachers in this town."

Hendricks said AmeriCorps fills a gap in her programs, because her agency, which relies heavily on volunteers, finds few volunteers who will teach health and safety issues.

"Teaching is such a commitment," she said. "You have to have experience in front of a group."

The tasks performed by AmeriCorps members are essential, Hendricks said. Young children learn many things they might not have learned at home, such as basic first aid and water safety.

"AmeriCorps has a huge impact on our health and safety program," she said.

Huey Freeman can be reached at hfreeman@herald-review.com or 421-6985.