Red Cross' Super Volunteer

Monday, February 26th 2007, 10:14 am

By: News On 6

A Green Country woman has given more years of her life volunteering than most people spend in a paying career. Working with the Red Cross, Tulsan Marge Creager has responded to more disasters than she can count. The News on 6â€™s Heather Lewin reports, at age 82, Creager's still got her suitcase ready for when the next one hits.

"I never was a money person, it didn't mean that much to me," said volunteer Marge Creager.

What has always mattered to Marge is helping others. She joined the American Red Cross in 1946, now, more than 60 years later, she hasn't dreamed of slowing down.

"People keep asking me, 'When are you gonna quit?' And I look at â€˜em so funny," she said.

A licensed professional counselor, Creager's latest journey took her to Central Florida after a devastating tornado hit a few weeks ago.

"When I go on these trips, it's my job to give hope to those who've lost everything and that's not always easy," Creager said.

She's responded to just about every major disaster over the past few decades. The New York Times has even published a photo of Creager helping a victim of the Oklahoma City Bombing.

She says the variety of the job is what keeps her going.

"Every disaster is different, everyone of â€˜em is different,â€ she said. â€œAnd you know you're in for a lot of excitement no matter where it is."

A trip to Los Angeles taught her about her least favorite emergency situation.

"Earthquakes! I'd never been to one before."

She not only saw the devastation, but also brought home a quick lesson.

"You never go to bed without some shoes by your bed, and don't go to bed naked because you might have to get up fast and get out," said Creager.

Volunteering has also been a way to help fill the hole in her life left by the passing of her one and only love, her husband Mac, a former KOTV sportscaster. The two were married 54 years.

"Met in college at a Christmas dance. I'll never forget it," she said.

But with four kids, eight grandkids, and five great-grandchildren, Creager says she has a lot to live for. After all, she's still needed by the Red Cross.

"I'll just be with â€˜em till I die,â€ Creager said.

In addition to volunteering, Creager still works part time as a therapist for troubled youth. So the big question, how do you stay so young at age 82? Creager says it's just keeping busy, in fact, she had to fit us in between band practice, teaching senior Drivers Ed, and a meeting to launch a new class for female inmates.