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.