My Red Cross Story: Nazia Hamdani

My Red Cross Story: Nazia Hamdani 

Written by: Emily Goff, volunteer

My involvement with the American Red Cross began when I was in high school in Pakistan. The Red Cross was there for a blood drive. We were very excited and ready to donate our blood, and had heard about how this blood was going to save countless lives. We got to know what our blood types were, which was uncommon in those days. I still remember how extremely disappointed I was when I was rejected as a result of being underweight. But I was so determined to make a difference that I didn't give up, and eventually I was able to meet the requirements so I could give blood.

I started volunteering at the front desk as an admin at the American Red Cross National Capital Region headquarters, but my thirst to learn and gain knowledge made me want to try and learn to fulfill other duties within the organization. The Volunteer Engagement team is full of wonderful and amazing people. Teri McCormick, our Director, is not only a great person, but is also a great teacher and an amazing mentor. All the team members are very helping and cooperative. They help by teaching you how to grow yourself as an individual.

I have been a transfer manager, intake manager, have reported hours, organized surveys for classes, have worked on the Pillowcase Project and have worked with the Youth Clubs. Also, as a front desk admin, my job was to greet visitors, take calls regarding different issues volunteers have and handle email correspondence. Currently, I mostly work on data clean-up. Learning new tasks keeps me motivated and helps me to gain important professional experiences.

Last November, I got to be a part of the amazing fundraising event, The Salute to Service Gala. It was a wonderful experience – I got to work with the registration team. I was a bit nervous and scared about possibly making mistakes, even though I had been trained for it. It was also a live program, so the pressure was even more intense. However, it turned out to be a life-changing experience; everyone was amazingly helpful, and I felt like I was part of a truly significant activity.

While working with the Red Cross, I have seen how many incredibly kind and compassionate people are always ready to lend their incredible talents to the organization. The Red Cross is globally known, and people are always willing and ready to help out. The Red Cross is an inspiration for countless people who are interested in helping others and promoting human rights. It is an honor to be part of the organization.

Want to become a volunteer? Join us! 

My Red Cross Story: Ben Nussbaumer

Ben shown in the middle

Written by: Emily Goff, volunteer

Highly difficult circumstances can produce the truest, most astounding heroes. I realized such a fact when I interviewed Ben Nussbaumer, an incredible thirteen-year-old boy who has conquered lymphoma and is now in the midst of developing his very own non-profit. As he relayed the details of his experiences and goals, I was touched by what a compassionate, striving attitude he holds, even after being forced, at such a young age, to combat cancer. Not only has he channeled his relief into gratitude, but also his gratitude into goodwill. Truly, Ben is a hero, through and through. 

Just last summer, Ben was a patient at the Walter Reed National Military Center, grappling with the fact that his life, at least until his health was restored, would consist of a lot more rounds of chemotherapy and a lot fewer of the enjoyable experiences one should have in their childhood. A triplet, a younger brother, and an owner of dogs and cats, he mentioned how strongly he missed his home life while confined to a hospital room. 

Luckily, though, since the Red Cross was situated a mere wheelchair ride away from the hospital, Ben’s journey to reach full wellness was infinitely more bearable. With access to simple, yet uplifting treasures such as movies, Beanie Babies (69 of these comforting, adorable critters to be exact), new clothes, art supplies, therapy dogs, and, of course, Legos, there were finally some spots of brightness for him. Knowing that the cart of goodies would eventually make its rounds was that essential boost of energy Ben needed while undergoing his treatments – and also the fact that Parks and Recreation was available to watch, he told me in good humor. 

October 2015 was when Ben was finally released after months of admirable perseverance, and, as opposed to removing himself completely from that period of his life, he thought up ways that he could give back, even as a minor. Thus, with the help of his older brother, he crafted bracelets to distribute to figures within the Red Cross, the organization that had given him so much joy while going through treatments for lymphoma. These bracelets served as a heartfelt “thank you” from Ben, who hopes when the volunteers look at their wrists, they are reminded of how critical their work was in his life. Ben is now able to move forward and enjoy being a kid again. 

This was only the start. This remarkable teenager was aware that he had not been the only young cancer patient out there, so he began to collect and donate toys such as Legos, which had been so significant during his journey, for all of those children currently bedridden at hospitals, feeling a little starved of comfort. This idea became the seed for his larger vision, a non-profit organization titled, Building Better Days, which is in the process of becoming fully established right now. With Ben’s ambition, and his sweet mother Pam’s unceasing support of his dreams, we have not doubts that Building Better Days will soon spark an infinite number of smiles and glowing hearts. 

Ultimately, the Red Cross is incredibly lucky to have impacted the life of Ben Nussbaumer, a young man who now aspires to earn his black belt in taekwondo, to earn his Eagle Scout Award, and to light up hospital patients’ darkest days.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Suni Chapman

Suni Chapman has blazed a path of extraordinary service with the National Capital Region Service to the Armed since becoming a Red Cross volunteer in January 2015. But her exposure to the Red Cross’s Service to the Armed Forces goes back to her early childhood.

She was too young to remember World War II events; but when later reading her father’s memoirs, she was struck by the many times his notes alluded to his “Red Cross parcels” and how much those parcels had meant to him and his fellow prisoners of war. Sub Lt. Tom Chapman, a pilot for Britain’s Fleet Air Arm, was shot down while returning from a bombing raid in June 1943. He wrote about his experience:

“I cannot explain how important our Red Cross parcels were. To me they were nothing less than a Godsend. Not only did it contain food, but soap, sometimes toothpaste, which we ate. And hope. Some dear souls cared about us. The Red Cross could sometimes reach us when our loved ones could not. We would all give a portion of our parcels per man to our cooks. It was amazing what [the cooks] were able to produce with [the Red Cross parcel portions and] the meager ingredients of bread and broth we received from the Germans.”  

Her father’s handwritten account of his time as a POW moved Suni so much that, upon her retirement, she acted on her wish to be one of those “souls that cared.” She became a volunteer with the American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces. Suni supports Outreach in the National Capital Region and Volunteer Orientations for Fort Belvoir and Marine Corps Base Quantico. She also plays an active role at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and is part of the Pillowcase Project, a free, interactive preparedness program designed for youth ages 8 to 11.

Suni has participated in nearly 20 varied outreach events, including several deployment training programs, health and safety fairs, retiree appreciation day, military unit family events, the USO fall festival, U.S. Army annual convention/expo, Fort Belvoir full-scale disaster exercise, Red Tee golf tournament, monthly newcomers orientation and breakfast with Santa. She designed and produced presentations for use in addressing deployment training groups and general SAF outreach activities, and is currently revising the orientation presentation for prospective and new volunteers at Fort Belvoir and MCB Quantico.

Her continued willingness to help and her professional background in forensic artistry have served the Red Cross well. In all these efforts, her enthusiasm, dedication, creativity, and outstanding performance have resulted in her being recognized as a key asset for the Station.  

Suni is pictured above on the right, with fellow Service to the Armed Forces volunteer Bette Cook.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Vance Allen

Vance Allen has served as Chairman of Volunteers since July 2015 and as Volunteer Chairman of Donations for four years for the Service to the Armed Forces division at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital for the American Red Cross. Vance also provides twice weekly orientation briefings to all new volunteers to Fort Belvoir. During these events, he explains the overall experience and sets the hospital’s expectations.

Prior to these roles, Vance worked as a volunteer or the Red Cross in the Hospital’s Patient Advocacy office. In these liaison roles, he helped to resolve any patient issues while helping the Red Cross administration run programs. In these positions, he has become well known, respected, and highly regarded by the volunteers and staff. He has voluntarily taken on the unofficial role of “social director,” arranging farewell celebrations and other events for the staff and volunteers. The Red Cross Assistant Manager states: “Vance is a huge benefit to the Red Cross office. He is very knowledgeable and always helpful and friendly to all visitors. Vance has been beyond helpful to me in the three plus years that I have served as Assistant Station Manager. He is also a great friend.” These words describe how we all feel about Vance!

Captain Vance Allen served for eight and a half years in the Air Force before he began working as a civilian for the Federal Government. He retired from the Federal Trade Commission in 2011 with a total of 32 years of service, including military service. When asked about his long, dedicated government career and volunteer service, Vance noted that his husband, Doug, inspires his work.

The American Red Cross is always looking for new volunteers to help with reconnection workshops, emergency communications and other programs for Service to the Armed Forces. To volunteer for the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer and fill out an online application.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Rika the Dog

Written by: Emily Goff, Volunteer

Arf! Arf! Arf! Hi there! My name is Rika, and I am a seven-year-old German Shepherd with a passion for delicious bones… and the Red Cross! I first began offering my canine charm to this organization three years ago when my outstanding human owner, Pat Wells, felt that I was finally ready. Now, before I go on about myself, you should know that Pat has been going to great lengths to make people’s lives better ever since the tragedy of 9/11 happened. I’m proud to be at the end of her leash!

Three years ago marked the beginning of my involvement with the Red Cross. After countless volunteering adventures, here I am today – a pooch that can’t get enough of this lifestyle of giving back. I’m often called friendly and outgoing by the humans I visit, which makes my tail wag with even more contentment. I love bringing smiles to the faces of all the humans I visit. When I’m feeling especially eager, I even perform some tricks for my audiences!

Through the Red Cross, I have been able to make countless connections at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, including one with a courageous man from the Armed Forces, who needed to stay in the facility for an extended time after surgery. Also, I was at a joint baby shower for Patricia and Erica, two wonderful women in the Antepartum Area. Though this celebration had cupcakes and gifts, I am pretty sure my presence made it a true party.

So… dogs and humans alike, I urge you to join the Red Cross and lend a helping paw! http://www.redcross.org/local/dc/washington/volunteer