My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Fawn Bennett

Fawn Bennett epitomizes the spirit of the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteer:  a love of humanity and an empathy and respect for military members and their families.  These personal characteristics combined with good interpersonal skills, a thirst for practical knowledge and a strong desire to support the broader military family molded her to become a truly outstanding SAF volunteer.  Having experienced the family joy, pride and sacrifices of military service as the wife of a 22-year active duty Air Force serviceman and 11-year Defense Department civilian employee, Fawn has devoted her innate talents and honed skills in with the American Red Cross.  One only has to walk through the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, the Soldiers and Family Assistance Center, the Quantico clinic and coalition partner meetings, the many outreach events and anywhere else in the military community to see the appreciation and respect the military community has for Fawn Bennett.  The impact of her service as an American Red Cross SAF volunteer is exceptional and substantial. 

One of the most significant achievements by Fawn was rebuilding a Red Cross presence and active program at Quantico Marine Corps Base, beginning in August 2013.  As Chairman of Volunteers and Community Outreach Associate for SAF Quantico Marine Corps Base (MCB), she worked closely with the Station Manager in this effort, resulting in a sevenfold (from 7 to 77) increase in the number of volunteers in less than a year.  

Moreover, through personal initiative and with an abundance of energy, Fawn constantly expanded her role and responsibilities at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital by actively recruiting volunteers and seeking new placements; chairing the Warrior Transition Unit Support and Wounded Service Member Support; meeting medical evacuation flights; assisting in Walter Reed Bethesda and Fort Belvoir Wounded Warrior tours of the Pentagon and meetings with high-level Defense Department officials there; organizing holiday and other events for the warriors and their families; and maintaining good relations with hospital staff.  She also worked as an SAF client caseworker. Recently in December 2015, Fawn actively participated in a National Headquarters team building exercise concerning the SAF client caseworker. 

To summarize, Fawn Bennett’s volunteer service which began in 2009 and continues today, has been at three stations: Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia and Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia.  Her responsibilities have been many and varied, including: General Volunteer for Patient Comfort Care and Comfort Cart, Chairman of Warrior Transition Unit Support, Wounded Service Member Support, Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), SAF Client Caseworker, Community Outreach Associate and Chairman of Volunteers at Quantico MCB. Fawn currently holds a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate, and she provides in-home healthcare services.