Kristine Whitford—A Heart for Service and Community in Alaska

Originally born in England to an Air Force family, Kristine Whitford moved around a bit before settling in Alaska. Although she briefly lived in California, Alaska became home. Working as a dispatcher for the Anchorage Fire Department for the last ten years, her journey into this career path was a familial affair—encouraged by her sister, who is also a dispatcher. Before joining the fire department, she worked in retail management but was driven by the desire for a more meaningful career that would allow her more time with her daughter.

A Passion for Volunteering

But it's not just her day job that makes Kristine a hero; it's her relentless passion for community service. She's deeply involved in charity work, from participating in the polar plunge for Special Olympics to "filling the boot" for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. During the holidays, she helps transform a fire engine into the "Santa Claus Express," delivering gifts and essentials to needy families. Her love for volunteering isn't just a personal venture—it's a family affair. She's passing down her "spirit to volunteer" to her three children, involving them in various charitable activities.

The Importance of One Good Deed

Perhaps what stands out the most about Kristine Whitford is her belief in the power of one good deed. "If every person just did one thing a year, it would make a big impact," she says. That's a philosophy she lives by, whether she's serving breakfast at Beans Cafe to the homeless or working on events for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She encourages everyone to find that one cause they're passionate about and give some of their time to it, emphasizing that the collective impact could be monumental.