Blood Services Volunteer of the Month: Hillary Sandy

Hillary Sandy has been providing excellent customer service to donors at the Dr. Charles R. Drew Donor Center in DC since March of 2013! She volunteers as a Blood Donor Ambassador most Fridays and several Mondays each month.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Hillary came to the area on her 21st birthday. Hillary is a nurse by profession and an Army veteran. She was mobilized to Germany in 2011, where she volunteered with the Red Cross and USO. Since her retirement, Hillary took the opportunity to volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Hillary comes from a family that is rooted in community service. Her mother was a nurse and midwife, and volunteer work has always been part of Hillary’s upbringing. In addition to volunteering at blood drives, Hillary volunteers at the VA and is a Deputy Representative for military families, veterans and active service members. She also volunteers at her church, and helps elderly people in her community with grocery shopping and transport to and from medical appointments.

On top of all her volunteer work, Hillary still finds time six days a week to exercise at Rock Creek Park. She loves to travel and has been all over the world, particularly Europe.

Hillary’s favorite aspect of volunteering at the donor center is talking with and helping the blood donors. “Being gracious to [the donors] for donating their blood” is of the utmost importance to her.

Please join us in congratulating Hillary Sandy – Blood Services Volunteer of the Month for June 2018!

Blood Services Volunteer of the Month: Virgie Sullivan

Virgie Sullivan volunteers at the Dr. Charles R. Drew Donor Center in Washington, DC as a Blood Donor Ambassador. In addition to donating blood herself, Virgie can be relied upon to volunteer almost every Friday and has done so since 2005! 

Born in Wilson, NC, Virgie moved to the DC area for work in 1974. She has one daughter, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren! 

Virgie initially volunteered at blood drives at her place of employment starting in the 1990's. When she retired after 30 years of government service, she started helping out at the donor center and has been a fixture there ever since

In addition to her work with the Red Cross, Virgie volunteers very often for her church, where she helps with the food bank, cooks for special events, mentors young women, assists seniors and sings in the choir. Her free time consists of exercise, looking out for neighborhood children and taking trips to visit family in NC. Virgie is busy all the time! 

Meeting our blood donors and talking with them is what Virgie enjoys most about volunteering at blood drives. She finds it commendable that some of the donors wait for quite awhile and still have a pleasant attitude about donating blood. She enjoys talking to and thanking donors, and has gotten to know many donors by name.

Please join us in congratulating Virgie Sullivan – Volunteer of the Month for April 2018!

The Benefits Of Giving Back By Volunteering With The Red Cross: Part I – Open Opportunities in Biomedical Services

Written by: Rosalind SE Carney, volunteer

Every 8 minutes, the Red Cross responds to someone in crisis. Generous volunteers give their time and talents to help fulfill the American Red Cross mission. Whatever your experience or interests are, there are volunteer opportunities available for you. This is Part I of a five-part blog series that details current volunteer opportunities in the National Capital Region (NCR) in Biomedical Services, Communications/Public Affairs, Disaster Cycle Services, Services for Military and Veteran Families, and Volunteer Services.

Why Volunteer With The Red Cross?
When you volunteer with the Red Cross, you become part of a group of people who truly make a difference in the lives of their fellow Americans and help people in serious need. It’s a great way to make new friends, learn new skills for your resume, and give back to your local community. For those who may not be in a position to make a financial contribution, a contribution of your time is the perfect gift. In fact, volunteers carry out 90% of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. In return, you experience being part of a large humanitarian organization, earn documented service house, receive training and support, and participate in volunteer recognition activities.

Do I have to deploy as a Red Cross volunteer?
No. While many NCR volunteers deploy following major disasters, many volunteers have roles that are always performed locally. While some volunteers respond to unexpected incidents, such as a house fire, many volunteers work set hours, scheduled at times convenient to them. Many volunteer positions are located throughout the NCR at the Chapter office, blood donation centers, supply management locations, or are home-based.

Why is the Biomedical Services group so important?
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells, 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed every day in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.69 million people were expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Many will need blood, sometimes daily, during chemotherapy treatment. One automobile accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

How can I help? 
The Red Cross collects and distributes about 40 percent of our nation’s blood supply. Help continue this mission by becoming a Blood Donor Ambassador to give donors a positive and fulfilling experience at a Red Cross donation center or blood drive. Blood Donor Ambassadors assist with reception and hospitality by greeting donors and offering refreshments. They provide a high level of customer service to promote blood donation and set the stage for a long-term commitment by donors. Blood Donor Ambassadors also play an important role in educating first-time donors about the process. Each shift is approximately four to six hours, with a requested commitment period of one year. A required two-hour training session is offered at American Red Cross offices throughout the National Capital Region.

What skills are required for this position?
This position is open to people who enjoy working with people and can provide excellent customer service. Blood Donor Ambassadors must be able to communicate in a professional manner with diverse populations, and read, write, hear and speak English in a legible and understandable manner. 

Where are Donor Ambassadors currently needed?

• The Washington, DC blood services center at 1730 E Street, NW 
• Old Town Alexandria office at 123 Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA
• Blood donor center locations in Fairfax, VA, and Montgomery Counties, MD
• Mobile drives in Washington, DC
• Mobile drives in Virginia: Alexandria, Arlington, Prince William and Loudoun Counties
• Mobile drives in Prince George's County, MD

Learn more or apply at: https://www.redcrossblood.org/volunteer

“Volunteering With The Red Cross Helped Me Find A New Job”: Laura Song’s Story

Written by: Rosalind SE Carney, volunteer

Laura Song, a VA resident, decided to volunteer with the American Red Cross after she saw the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. As many others were similarly inspired to volunteer at that time, the Red Cross volunteer connections website crashed due to the overwhelming response. Undeterred, Laura visited the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region Headquarters in Fairfax, VA.

The same day she visited the headquarters, other people came to offer their services too. Four new volunteers were put together into a newly created group to thank recent donors for their financial contributions to hurricane relief efforts. Within a week and a half, they thanked 30,000 donors by phone, personal emails or handwritten cards. They came up with the name "the gratitude gang" to describe their collective Red Cross role.

Laura found the experience of thanking people very fulfilling, and donors were touched to receive thanks from the Red Cross. Many donors said that they wished they could do more to help those suffering from the devastation caused by the hurricanes. The gratitude gang was so successful that several other Red Cross chapters across the nation will employ the same initiative.

Laura’s prior corporate management experience turned out to be well suited for a position that recently opened up in the Volunteer Services division of the Red Cross in the National Capital Region. Laura is now a Red Cross Volunteer Services Specialist, mainly focusing on volunteer engagement and helping facilitate outreach and recruitment of new volunteers.

Laura describes her new position as a very humbling and gratifying experience. She is learning more and more each day about Red Cross services in disaster relief, blood donation, assistance for the military, veterans and their families, training and certification, and international services. Laura always knew that helping others is her passion, but her new job has made her realize how much more she wants to do as a Red Cross employee.

The Red Cross currently has over 100 volunteer openings in the DMV area covering all aspects of Red Cross services. Learn More About Red Cross Volunteer opportunities.

Learn How Lazarus Integrated Red Cross Volunteer Experience Into His Professional Development.

Learn How Eric Found Volunteering With The Red Cross So Fulfilling, He Has Served For Almost 50 Years.

“Volunteering With The Red Cross Is So Fulfilling, I Have Served For Almost 50 Years”: Eric Schlesinger's Story

Written by: Rosalind SE Carney, volunteer

Eric Schlesinger has been a volunteer with the American Red Cross for almost 50 years. During the 1969 fall semester at Temple University, PA, one of his fraternity brothers suggested that Eric should run the campus blood drive, which took place twice a year. He continued to run the blood drive for another three and a half years. This dedication did not go unnoticed by the Philadelphia Red Cross chapter as he was appointed to their Board of Directors during his senior years as an undergraduate. 

When Eric went to graduate school at State University at Albany, NY, he contacted the local Red Cross chapter. He was surprised to learn that they knew of his arrival and told him, “We have been expecting you; we were told we were getting a good guy in the area.” Eric was further involved in coordinating or advising about the promotion of campus blood drives at Cortland State College, NY, and at Catholic University, DC.

Once Eric moved to DC, he became a regular whole blood donor. But he wanted to do something of even more value to help his community. So about twenty years ago Eric became a blood services volunteer at the Rockville Blood Donation Center, MD. One Saturday a month, Eric registers donors and gives out juice and cookies in the canteen.

Eric particularly enjoys interacting with first-time blood donors, who are excited to be there but have some uncertainty about whether the process is painless or how long it takes. Eric reassures and congratulates first-time donors and encourages them to return. Now, many of the people Eric sees are regulars who donate every 56 days. They enjoy chatting with Eric who makes them feel valued. Volunteering at the donation center fulfills a portion of Eric’s life. He enjoys being in a helping mode around others and he receives thanks from donors for his service.

When asked about the primary motivation of blood donors, Eric recalls one donor who had himself received a blood transfusion and had decided it was his turn to give back. Following the tragedies of September 11th, 2001, Eric was not scheduled to volunteer, but went to the Rockville donation center anyway. There, a true sense of community spirit was realized when hundreds of people showed up to give blood. Even the local Girl Scouts brought additional food and refreshments. The image of people lining up waiting to help is still a vivid image in Eric’s mind. A surge in blood donations also occurred following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, though most donated blood is used for local hospitals. 

Eric was recognized as Volunteer of the Month in May 2012. His message to potential first-time donors is “There is always a constant need for blood. There is no replacement for a blood donor as blood cannot be manufactured. To know that you are doing something that only a human can do is really important. The staff is excellent, the process is painless…what kind of a better deal can you expect?”

Blood donor ambassador volunteer positions are currently open in our area. 

Learn About All Types of Blood Donation.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Lazarus Davis

Integrating Red Cross Volunteer Work into Professional Development: Lazarus’s Story as a Volunteer Screener

Written by: Rosalind SE Carney, volunteer


For much of his adult life, Lazarus Davis has always volunteered to help his local community. From the Boy Scouts to the DC Reserve Police Force, he has found a way to use volunteer work to learn new professional skills.

Since February 2017, Lazarus has been working as a Volunteer Screener in the National Capital Region. Screeners donate about 8 hours a week during a 6-month, renewable commitment period. This position involves reviewing applications and resumes, performing interviews and background checks, and matching skills with positions available. As a result of his work, Lazarus received training in specific software applications, enhanced his communication skills and broadened his knowledge in human resources.

Lazarus is motivated by his continuous desire to understand and address community needs. After 15 years as a Reserve Police Officer, he was promoted to Lieutenant, and retired from the police force 5 years later. During those two decades, Lazarus sought to understand the day-to-day activities of police officers to help facilitate community-oriented policing.

Lazarus is currently enrolled in the Emergency Management Program at Frederick Community College. The program teaches participants how to forecast threats, understand crises, and launch response and recovery efforts for communities. As part of the program, Lazarus is completing an internship, which he chose to complete with the Disaster Relief team at the Red Cross. Once he completes the Emergency Management Program, he hopes to work for FEMA or locally in Prince George’s County.

Lazarus says, “The American Red Cross offers many different opportunities. I appreciate how much I have learned from my Red Cross experiences while continuing to give back to the community.”

Are you ready to make a difference like Lazarus? 

Learn about Volunteer opportunities in the National Capital Region.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Jerry McGraw

Interviewed by Denise Miller, Executive Director of Fairfax County, on their drive to provide disaster relief  following Hurricane Harvey.

Name: Jerry McGraw
Hometown: Oceana, WV; moved to Northern VA in 1965
Volunteer Since: June 2014
Volunteer Role: Logistics Supervisor
Profession: Computer Programmer (Retired)



What inspired you to volunteer for the American Red Cross? Why is it important to volunteer?
When Jerry was 12 years old, he was with his family out for a drive when they came upon a disaster scene on a highway. Many cars were pulled over alongside the road, as was a Red Cross emergency vehicle. A boy had fallen into a creek at flood level, and the Red Cross was there to help. Jerry's father jumped into the water to help rescue the boy. This memory stuck with Jerry his whole life and left him with a very fond impression of the Red Cross. 

Jerry now volunteers to help people, but he also finds it personally gratifying. As tears fill up in Jerry’s eyes, he shares the story of a memorial service he attended as a Red Cross volunteer, supporting the grieving community of Silver Spring, MD following the explosion last summer. The majority of the service was spoken in Spanish, and an elderly woman approached him to ensure that he knew that the Red Cross was thanked numerous times throughout the service, in case he did not speak Spanish. 

I asked Jerry about his tears and wanted him to describe his emotions. 

"It comes from a place of sadness - knowing people lost their lives in the Silver Spring fire, but also a sense of pride knowing that I contributed to support the recovery efforts after this terrible tragedy," he says.

What are your special skills that you use to support the Red Cross?
- Driving
- Supervisory skills
- Quick to learn
- Project management
- Organized
- Attention to detail

What is it like volunteering?  
"Very rewarding," Jerry says.

Jerry has had many Red Cross moments that fill him up with pride. 

"In logistics, usually you are behind the scenes, but it’s "on-site" that gives me the best experiences," he says. 

He described his volunteer time at last year’s Marine Corps Marathon. 

"Side by side with first responders, watching wounded veterans begin the race and cheers and patriotism from the crowd, was a great memory. Being a part of a team, not only with the Red Cross, but all the different organizations we partner with that each play an important role was eye opening and fulfilling."

What are you most proud of regarding your volunteer work?
"Getting to know the other great volunteers and life-long relationships that have formed. This is very different than the business world, everyone is so friendly and willing to do anything. We are all here for the same reason - to help people," Jerry says.

Message from Denise:
Throughout this entire interview, Jerry held back his tears as he talked about the work of the Red Cross and the people we help, but most importantly, the people we do it with. I am honored to be side-by-side with this wonderful man and volunteer as we drive across country to carry out the mission of the Red Cross to provide relief after Hurricane Harvey. I can only imagine the things we will see, the people we will help and the teams we will work with that will give us the memories of a lifetime - stories that both of us will not be able to tell without shedding a tear. 

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Naimisha Mehta

Written by: Rosalind SE Carney, volunteer

Helping Volunteers Find Their Niche at the Red Cross: Naimisha’s Story as a Volunteer Screener

The reasons why someone becomes a volunteer at the American Red Cross are diverse and often very meaningful personally. Someone who received immediate financial and accommodation assistance after a house fire may decide “the time is right” to give back. Retired nurses and occupational therapists, or students studying physical therapy, may decide to dedicate their time to Walter Reed or Fort Belvoir. But how do potential volunteers find the right fit to match their experience and interests?

Naimisha Mehta became a Volunteer Screener for the National Capital Region Fairfax office in May 2017. With a background in international relations and education, Naimisha had prior volunteer experience as a teacher in a Mumbai orphanage and as an event planner and fundraiser at a women’s crisis center in Texas.

As a Volunteer Screener, Naimisha plays an important role in ensuring that the time a potential volunteer is willing to give to the Red Cross is used in a mutually beneficial manner. Applications are reviewed by a Volunteer Screener who matches applications with open positions. Once a potential match is found, Naimisha speaks to the candidate on the phone and then refers the application to the relevant department. Working from home for 5-10 hours a week, Naimisha will typically process about 15 applications every fortnight.

In this role, Naimisha has gained experience in new professional areas, such as the use of a client management system, interview and people skills, and even negotiation skills. She speaks with people young and old, people focused on one particular area of the Red Cross, or those willing to follow her recommendation. To be effective, Naimisha needs in-depth knowledge of all Red Cross activities. To this end, Volunteer Screeners are invited to monthly meetings, lunches, and field-trips to view firsthand the work of the Red Cross. 

During her experience over the past few months, Naimisha has been routinely told how people did not realize the extent to which the Red Cross helps their local communities. Some people were inspired by their interactions with Red Cross volunteers at various local events and then decided they want to help out, too. As for Naimisha, finding the right position for volunteers and seeing how excited they are to make their own contribution is an extremely rewarding process.

 Interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross? Take our “What Kind of Volunteer Are You” quiz.

One Year Later - Red Cross Response in Silver Spring

Written by: Keegan Wieland, volunteer

Last year on August 11, 2016, an apartment complex in Silver Spring, Maryland exploded due to a gas leak. The explosion and subsequent fire caused a number of fatalities and displaced more than 150 individuals, leaving them with no home. The Red Cross and local government partners quickly responded and supplied the Long Branch Community Center with sleeping cots, blankets and other materials for the displaced families while they recovered. This shelter remained open for nearly two weeks. 
 
Over 9,000 meals were served to the over 200 individuals who stayed at the shelter. The Red Cross continued its support after the center was closed, housing some individuals who were still in need of a place to stay for nine days. Along with food and shelter, the Red Cross checked up on the status of the individuals and provided them with the proper information to seek a full recovery. This included a community outreach program in the neighborhood where volunteers went door-to-door providing recovery information and emotional support. A fund was also set up by local government officials and other non-profits in the community and the Red Cross assisted in the distribution process. In a generous show of support, both McDonald’s and Giant Food also provided families with food and water.
  
None of this would have been possible without the tireless work and selflessness of our Red Cross volunteers. Disasters can occur anywhere at any time, and it’s their support that makes responses like the one in Silver Spring possible. Thank you to our volunteers for everything they do for your American Red Cross and our community.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Ashley Brown

Ashley Brown is a Blood Donor Ambassador who has been volunteering regularly in the Washington, DC area since February 2015. 

A regular at the House and Senate blood drives, Ashley can always be counted on to volunteer for several shifts a month both at mobile blood drives and the Dr. Charles R. Drew Donor Center at National Headquarters. 

Ashley is very reliable and a true asset!  She has truly saved the day on more than one occasion—going above and beyond the call of duty.

Originally from Indiana, Ashley moved to the DC area to attend school and decided to stay.  She had wanted to be a blood donor but always had an issue with her iron levels, so she started volunteering at blood drives as a way to give back and help save lives!

Ashley’s favorite aspect of volunteering is visiting the different sites in DC—such as government buildings and agencies—as well as meeting and getting to know the blood donors.

When she’s not volunteering, Ashley works at the Home Depot and spends a lot of time at the gym.  She also makes sure to participate in the various events and activities that the DC area has to offer.

Please join us in congratulating Ashley Brown – Volunteer of the Month for August 2017!

You can help us save a life! Donate blood today. Visit rcblood.org/appt  or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

4th Annual Volunteer Ice Cream Social

Written by: Morgan Terry, volunteer

This past weekend the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region celebrated its volunteers and their commitment to their work with its Fourth Annual Volunteer Ice Cream Event. Volunteers and their guests met at the Silver Spring office to beat the 90 degree heat with ice cream and socialize with fellow volunteers.

I go the opportunity to speak with a few of our region’s volunteers of different backgrounds from all around Montgomery and Prince George’s County.

The first two volunteers I spoke to, Usha and Dev, were President and Vice President of their school’s Red Cross Club.

“We’re both interested in the humanitarian aspect of the Red Cross,” Dev explained when asked about why he became a volunteer. Usha added, “We’ve been volunteers for a few months and we’ve really been enjoying it. We both want to make a career of giving back and volunteering, and we knew the Red Cross would be a good place to start.”

The next volunteer I spoke to, Charlie, explained that she has been volunteering with the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program for almost four years. “I was in the military for twenty-two years before I became a licensed healthcare provider. Many vets come home and it’s difficult to get a hold of the people who really need help, but volunteering for the Red Cross makes it easy.”

Volunteer with Us

If you’re passionate about helping people and looking for a volunteer opportunity with a visionary humanitarian organization, you can make a difference with the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region. No matter your interest, skills or schedule, you can make a significant contribution to our community and support people in their moments of greatest need.

For more information on how to become a volunteer with the American Red Cross in the National Capital region, or to find your local Red Cross office, please visit our website.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Marion Ekokobe

Marion Ekokobe has been volunteering as a Blood Donor Ambassador multiple times every week since April 2016. In that short time, Marion has clocked in more than 1,000 hours of volunteer service, mostly between the Dr. Charles R. Drew Donor Center in Washington, DC and the Rockville Donor Center.

Fellow volunteers and donor center managers alike have recognized Marion’s dedication to her volunteer assignments. She is praised for her clean and organized workspaces as well as her “excellent customer service relationship with both staff and donors.”

Marion is from Cameroon in West Africa. In her professional life, she has worked administering kidney dialysis treatments. Currently, she is a massage therapist and esthetician and is working on her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. Marion came to the Red Cross in order to acclimate herself more to the medical field.

“Traveling and meeting people” are Marion’s favorite aspects about volunteering as a Blood Donor Ambassador. In addition to volunteering at American Red Cross blood drives, Marion also volunteers for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Her free time is occupied with homework, watching movies, creating projects for her business and networking.

Please join us in congratulating Marion Ekokobe - Volunteer of the Month for July 2017!

You can help us save a life! Donate blood today. Visit rcblood.org/appt  or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

My Red Cross Story: Art Shaw

Fundraiser and Volunteer—Providing Vital Service to the Red Cross Mission

Written by: Clarice Nassif Ransom, volunteer

Employee and Volunteer: Art Shaw

Resides: Sterling, Virginia

Length of Service: 2 years as employee/15 years as volunteer

Title: Partnership Officer, American Red Cross

Meet Art Shaw. By day, Art is a partnership officer for the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, a role in which he helps to raise funds, a vitally important function for the humanitarian organization that relies on the generosity of donors and the power of volunteers to alleviate human suffering during emergencies. 

When Art is not working, he is volunteering his time to the Red Cross, donating blood platelets, helping to respond to disasters such as fires and floods, and assisting with large events like the recent Red Tee Golf Tournament.

“I first started giving blood in college,” said Art. “Later, when I was donating blood near where I worked in downtown D.C. for Marriott, the Red Cross nurse asked me if I ever thought about giving platelets and explained to me the importance of platelets to saving lives. That’s when I started giving my platelets – about 15 years ago.”

Art said the process of giving platelets takes about two hours and he has needles in both arms. The blood is withdrawn, the platelets are extracted and then the blood is put back into a person’s body.

“You go home with the same amount of blood you came with—minus the platelets, which regenerate quickly,” said Art, who donates platelets about 20 times a year. “My platelets have been linked to helping many others. One person I helped in particular is a child leukemia victim at Johns Hopkins in Maryland—my blood platelets helped keep him alive. It feels good to help others, and it does not cost you anything but time. So why not do it?”

As a member of the Red Cross Volunteer Disaster Action Team, Art helps victims of house fires, floods like the ones that occurred last year in South Carolina, and with teams installing free smoke alarms and providing fire safety information to local communities.

“It is really important to be there for disaster victims and to give them the reassurance that they are going to be OK,” said Art. “There are people who just lost everything in a house fire, it’s 2:30 a.m., and they are devastated. As a Red Cross volunteer, we can be there to comfort them and to provide them with resources, such as a hotel room and food, to help them begin to rebuild their lives, and that is rewarding.”

When the recent Women’s March ended, a group of about 30 Canadian women were stranded at RFK Stadium due to a bus breakdown after everyone else vacated, according to Art, who said the Red Cross was the only organization left to assist these women by providing a tent shelter, food and coffee. 

“Our motto is, ‘We will help you until you are OK,’” said Art, who was one of the Red Cross volunteers onsite that day and evening until all the women were able to leave, the last bus departing around 3:00 a.m. the morning after the march.

One of the Canadian attendees was so thankful to the American Red Cross that she wrote a personal note to the team and vowed a donation. An excerpt from her note said, “We did appreciate the help as we were exhausted from the long bus journey the night before and the excitement of the wonderful day… The Red Cross helped everyone to get going again and we all got safely back to Canada.”

As a partnership officer, Art communicates with many local companies, sharing the value of donating resources, as well as hosting volunteer venues such as on-site blood donation centers. One of Art’s most memorable exchanges was when he attended a blood drive at a company. A retired, elderly volunteer told Art that the reason he volunteers is that when he was born in the 1940’s, dialysis was not used, and had a blood disease in which he received about 1,000 pints of blood at the Children’s Hospital. That elderly volunteer attributes being alive as a result of the generosity of blood donors, as many of his peers with the same disease did not make it, and he told Art that is why he still volunteers. Art was touched by this story.

“Volunteering helps me to tell the Red Cross story to donors, who can hear the conviction in my voice, as to why it is important to support our organization,” said Art. “I am telling the truth when I say I helped save someone’s life by working and volunteering for the American Red Cross—I have donated life-saving blood and platelets; I have comforted victims of disasters; I have provided food, shelter and clothing after disaster victims have lost everything. I am living the expectations I am asking for from my donors.”

Art said he will forever volunteer for the Red Cross.

Join the Home Fire Campaign

Written by: Dongjun (Rick) Yoo, volunteer

Your help is needed to reduce death and injury from home fires by 25% by 2020.

Launched in 2014, the Home Fire Campaign organizes volunteers to canvas high-risk neighborhoods and install free smoke alarms. Volunteers and community partners travel from house to house and ask if the residents have properly working smoke alarms. The residents are then given the choice to have the volunteers immediately install new smoke alarms or ask for a future appointment. Volunteers then record the homes and areas they have canvassed, then report back to team leaders. Since its inception, the national Home Fire Campaign has saved 235 lives and installed 791,627 smoke alarms.

As a Red Cross Volunteer, I joined the Home Fire Campaign to fulfill my student community service requirement. My first shift was not easy, but with teamwork it felt good. All volunteers were trained to speak with residents, educate them on the importance of smoke alarms and about the House Fire Campaign in general. It was important to be on time, which was at 8 AM in the morning! At 9 AM, we headed out to our assigned neighborhoods to start checking smoke alarms. Working in teams of 2-3 volunteers, we used basic tools and quickly installed the alarms. A team leader supervised volunteers, showed us how to work efficiently with fellow peers and helped to record our progress.

The Home Fire Campaign is a valuable experience to both residents and volunteers. No experience is necessary, so almost anyone can get involved to help yourself and your community. For more information and for upcoming installation events visit our local website.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Mallory Rabon

Written by: Mallory Rabon, volunteer

Sometimes, the desire to volunteer and give back to your community can be daunting because it is difficult to know where to begin. As a high school senior in Raleigh, North Carolina, I knew that I wanted to become involved in something bigger than myself; that extended beyond my high school bubble. As a member of various school service organizations, I wanted to contribute to an organization with a wider reach.

That’s when I thought of the American Red Cross. Years before, I had participated in the Red Cross Babysitting and Child Care Training Course, and advertised myself as a “certified” babysitter. That certification made me feel much more confident during my weekly child care jobs and I gained valuable knowledge and practice working with young children. Knowing that the American Red Cross offered a variety of programs in my community, I started to research other programs and got CPR certified. The more interested I became, the more I saw the Red Cross presence in my immediate community. The Red Cross made it so easy to become involved--they were actually coming to my school’s backdoor -- this time through blood services.

Honestly, I was nervous about giving blood (as I think most people are during their first time). Having a needle stuck into my arm was not my idea of “fun,” but the impact of those few moments of discomfort was worth it. Did you know that you could save up to 3 lives by giving blood? I did not. And that forever changed the previously scary imagery of donating into an amazing and relatively convenient experience that makes an instant impact. Understanding the need for blood was not the only reason why my experience was so positive; the Red Cross staff was extremely accommodating and kind. I was feeling quite faint, and the staff was so attentive and put my nerves to rest. I got some snacks and fluids to revive me, and I felt very safe and well cared for. Despite feeling a bit sheepish about my weak stomach, my overall experience was one that I can look back on with fondness, and will be donating again soon.

Becoming involved with the Red Cross does not have to be complicated. And whether you want to give blood, earn your EMT certification, get involved in disaster relief, or support our military and their families, there are many ways for you to make an impact. As everyday citizens, we can make a difference, and the American Red Cross makes it easy for you to do so. Become a part of something bigger than yourself and your immediate social circle. Speaking for myself, the Red Cross has widened my horizons and enabled me to affect others’ lives and to take advantage of amazing volunteer opportunities in my community. Now living in Washington D.C, I am thrilled to be a volunteer for an organization that positively influences so many lives every day.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Stefanie Kline

Devoted to Helping Others for Life

Written by: Clarice Nassif Ransom, Volunteer

Volunteer: Stefanie Kline, Fairfax, VA

Profession: House Management Assistant/Usher Supervisor for George Mason University Center for the Arts and a Project Assistant for the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative

Length of Volunteer Service: 2 years and going strong

Q: What inspired you to volunteer for the American Red Cross? Why is it important to volunteer?

A: LIFE! When I can contribute in some way to someone else, I feel elated. I cannot think of anything better—that makes me happier—than knowing I have been a force for good, and a comfort for someone in need. My own experience with injury and trauma has made my priorities clear: wanting to lead a good life, help people, and perhaps inspire others to do the same.

I once lived in a remote part of Virginia, and on the way to work one day, I was involved in a severe car accident, to the extent that I was unconscious and have no memory of what happened. According to police investigation, it is thought I swerved to avoid hitting something, lost control of the car, and smashed into a tree; embedding the car into it. Three strangers saved me: a local gym teacher and two neighbors. The gym teacher with his CPR training led the other two in how to keep me breathing until medical professionals arrived, and the fire department cut the top off my car. These heroes stayed with me through the extraction from the car and were responsible for saving my life. Much later, one of the officers told me he never had the chance to meet a survivor from an accident like mine, because people don’t usually survive. I am alive because someone knew what to do, got involved, and stayed by me.

I am getting better at accepting my own physical limitations. I have a titanium rod in my leg, some plates in my face, and deal with varying degrees of pain in my back and hip daily, making disaster responses tough, but I keep going. I feel I am well-equipped to assist people coping with traumatic incidents partially because of my own experience, and I can empathize and support others recovering from disasters.

Q: What are your special skills that you use to support The Red Cross?

A: Community service has been a part of my life since I was little; I was a Girl Scout for twelve years. As a young girl, my Rabbi shared with me the Jewish value that the reward for living a good life is knowing you lived a good life. This has resonated with me since my accident, and I make every effort to live a life that feels rewarding in and of itself, in addition to introducing others to this concept.

I got my Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology and a Master’s Degree specializing in forensic anthropology (identifying human skeletal remains by establishing biological profiles). I want to take part in helping people recover from traumatic experiences, and to work to prevent large-scale atrocities like war crimes and genocide. I got really interested in studying disaster response in college after learning about the impact, loss of life, and devastation of Hurricane Katrina. When I moved back to the East Coast from California, after graduate school, I wanted to find ways to be more involved and help my local community. My mother had worked in Blood Research and Development for the American Red Cross for 36 years, and had recently retired. She was interested in seeing another side of the Red Cross, so we decided to focus on volunteering for disaster services and signed up on the same day!

Q: What is it like volunteering with your mom?

A: We excel in different areas of the disaster response team, which is mutually beneficial. Initially, she was not as eager to get up in the middle of the night to respond to a disaster; while I thrived on it. There was only one house fire that we both responded to, and it was awkward at first because we were the only two there, and I was the lead based on experience and authority to issue financial assistance. However, our common goal was to help those in need, and were were able to use our training and be successful in supporting the victims. Now my mom focuses more on sheltering and mass care, while I am responsible for other components of response and relief.

Q: What do you do as a volunteer? Can you describe what you do?

A: I started off as a Disaster Action Team responder, and I did some community outreach work where I was needed. I also volunteered to be on GO-teams for big events. The GO-teams are the volunteers you see roving around during occasions such as the Marine Corps Marathon or the recent inauguration of the President, and they are there to ensure public safety. I also volunteer to assist with presentations on building preparedness skills in communities, as well as staffing for larger operations. I am a government liaison when the Red Cross needs to help staff a local Emergency Operation Center, and I am the disaster workforce engagement administrative assistant for Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria.

Q: What are some memorable experiences you have about volunteering for ARC? How have you made a difference?

A: One of my strongest memories is from my very first Disaster Action Team call: a hotel fire in Alexandria, Virginia. Part of the hotel collapsed. Fortunately, no one was injured but, in addition to the numerous families who were staying at the hotel, there was a group of about 100 high school ROTC students from New York. The ROTC group ran up and down the hall making sure other hotel patrons got out. They did not all have time to change their clothes or put on shoes. I was part of the initial two-person response team that arrived around 5:00 a.m., and ended up assisting with client casework and providing mass care. We went to the store to make sure the kids had food and clothes, including toiletries and shoes. We also made sure they were fully equipped with water and snacks for their long bus ride back.  That was my "Welcome to the Red Cross" moment. It was a 15-hour response and inspired me to do so much more.

Q: What are you most proud of regarding your volunteer work for ARC?

A: I don’t think of it as being “proud,” but grateful for the amazing people I have met. I am proud to know so many committed volunteers who just want to help others in need. I think probably one of my most powerful contributions I have made to my team is bringing positive energy to meetings and classes. I have been told my enthusiasm can be contagious, and there is nothing I love more than smiling. I am glad I have worked with so many different groups within the Red Cross. I have gained really valuable experiences from each one.

Q: Is there anything I forgot to ask you that you would like to add?

A: Doris Crawford, another Red Cross volunteer, continually motivates me to keep on volunteering. She is our lead disaster responder. She trains responders left and right and goes on just about every single call. Doris is the most inspiring person I have ever met – she is committed to volunteering in any situation, no matter how inconvenient or what time it is. Her commitment and devotion have encouraged me to push myself to do more with the American Red Cross.

Check out more videos of Stefanie Kline on YouTube here and here. 

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Joe Cattaneo

Carrying on a Century-Long Family Tradition Volunteering for the Red Cross

By Clarice Nassif Ransom, Volunteer

Volunteer: Joe Cattaneo

Resides: McLean, Virginia

Profession: Retired President of the Glass Packaging Institute and part-time consultant

Length of Volunteer Service: 3 years and counting

Length of Employment with the American Red Cross: 12 years, early in his career

Joe Cattaneo is carrying on a century-long family tradition of volunteering for the Red Cross, which dates back to World War I and spans two nations, the United States and Italy.

Joe’s maternal grandmother served as a volunteer for the Red Cross during World War I in Italy and Joe’s mother followed in those footsteps, serving as a volunteer during World War II, in Italy.  She married Joe’s American father in Rome and settled down in St Louis, Missouri.

“I was influenced by my mother to donate my time to help others in need, as she did so in words and by her actions working for the Visiting Nurses Association late in life,” said Joe.

Some of Joe’s fondest keepsakes are his grandmother’s Red Cross identification card from Italy and a Red Cross celebrity cookbook, which has recipes from celebrated actors from the early 1900’s, such as Al Jolson, Harry Houdini, Douglas Fairbanks, Lillian Russell, Mary Pickford, and Sophie Tucker. The cookbook was dedicated to the American Red Cross and the Actor’s Fund. Joe thinks the proceeds of the cookbook went to both organizations. The cookbook was acquired by Joe’s great uncle, who was a mess sergeant during World War I. Joe inherited the cookbook from his great uncle, who kept it in a special chest along with military medals and memorabilia.

So, Joe could not help but step up and be part of the American Red Cross organization, first, as a part-time employee in college during the Vietnam War era, later as a full-time employee, and now, as a volunteer, post-retirement.

“I started working part-time for the American Red Cross when I was in college,” says Joe. “The father of one of my fraternity brothers was the Assistant Director of the Service to Military Families Department at the St. Louis Bi-State Chapter. At that time, during the Vietnam War, I started doing casework – interviewing local families of military personnel stationed overseas and helping them to learn how to handle a budget and live without a spouse. Sometimes, we would deliver messages to service members from their families, such as the birth of a baby or an illness of a family member.”

Joe eventually landed a full-time permanent job with the American Red Cross where he worked for 12 years in three states – Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio, doing everything from serving as a field representative, to chapter management, and deputy division manager.

“Some of my most memorable times working for the American Red Cross was when I was a field representative in Illinois,” said Joe. “I worked statewide with various small chapters and organizations. I would speak about the Red Cross at various functions such as the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and conduct audits of different chapters. I remember that one small chapter kept all their financial records in a shoe box – of course, this was all before computers.”

Joe also reminisced about the people whose lives he was able to touch working for the Red Cross.

“During the post-Vietnam era, refugees were relocating to the United States, many settling first at military installations before assimilating into communities. The American Red Cross would offer night courses to teach the refugees English. We also provided job placement for them. I even hosted a party at my apartment where we had folks attend not only from Vietnam, but also from Korea, Cambodia, and Eastern Europe. Everyone brought a dish from their homeland and it was a delicious potluck. One of the fellows was a tailor and made me a suit as a gift.”

Joe then became a Red Cross chapter manager in Wisconsin, where he was a community leader, promoting the Red Cross.

“I had a monthly radio show,” said Joe. “I would talk about blood drives and their locations, swimming and safety courses we were offering, and I would recruit volunteers. It was a great way to promote the Red Cross.”

After leaving the Red Cross as an employee, Joe became a partner in an Ohio advertising firm for nine years, then moved to the Washington, D.C. area to become Vice President of Marketing for the Glass Packaging Institute, one of his former clients, and eventually President of the Glass Packaging Institute where he retired in 2012, after a 20-year career with the trade association.

“I was looking at doing something on a voluntary basis for my community after I retired, so I contacted the American Red Cross in Fairfax,” said Joe. “I started volunteering as a Community Leader for the Red Cross, representing the Red Cross at exhibits and attending various community meetings and fundraising activities. I was then referred to be the head of volunteer services to participate on their volunteer intake screening team. In volunteer intake, we screen people who are interested in volunteering – we are sort of like matchmakers. We gauge their level of interest, and what they want to do, and find them volunteer opportunities that fit their backgrounds and our needs.”

In January alone, there were 400 volunteer applicants for the Red Cross in the National Capital Region that needed to be screened for the right volunteer opportunity. The time commitment is flexible and the ways to help out are endless – from blood donor services, to disaster relief, to community engagement, to a home fire campaign, to helping out at military hospitals and installations. Their volunteer opportunities are endless.

“We always welcome volunteers,” said Joe. “For me, volunteering for the American Red Cross completes my life as it is now. When I do this, I feel active. I get to interact with young like-minded people, and I look forward to it every day. It is not like a job, that can sometimes get tedious. There is always someone to help, someone whose life you can make better helping through volunteer service.”

When Joe is not volunteering for the American Red Cross, he is helping out many other organizations, including heading up a food bank, helping to tutor kids, and providing help for the homeless. He is also a music aficionado who once played piano, trumpet, guitar, and was in a band in high school. He also enjoys symphonies, operas, theater and sports.

“I am a St. Louis Cardinal fan forever,” concluded Joe.