By David Olejarz, regional communications director

Service to the Armed Forces volunteers Tom Robinson and Jim Seay were recipients of the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award. Led by AmeriCorps in partnership with Points of Light, the award “recognizes the important role in America’s strength and national identity” and “honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.”

Honorees are recognized for their volunteer hours served in four age brackets – adults, young adults, teens and kids. For adults, the bronze award is given for 100-249 hours, silver for 250-499 hours and gold for 500+ hours. The lifetime achievement award is given for 4,000+ hours served.

Honorees receive a congratulatory letter from President Joseph Biden Jr., a customized certificate and achievement official President’s Volunteer Service pin, coin or medallion.

Robinson received the lifetime achievement award for 4,516.25 volunteer hours served at the Red Cross through 2023. Seay received the gold award for 517.5 volunteer hours served in 2023 alone. Both are U.S. veterans.

Each year, the American Red Cross assists more than 240,000 military and veteran families by leveraging a network of volunteers across the country and around the world through its Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and International Services.

In their role as SAF caseworkers, Robinson and Seay help military families communicate with their loved ones during an emergency and facilitate their return home through the Hero Care Network, which connects service members, veterans and their families to free and confidential assistance 24/7. Emergency messages are sent when there is an urgent, time-sensitive situation, such as a family member’s death or serious illness, a childcare or elder care issue, or financial assistance matter.  

After contacted by the family, the Red Cross verifies details of the emergency and then delivers the message to the military command of the service member. The command and service member together decide next steps including granting an emergency leave for the service member to support their family. The Red Cross then follows up with the family.

Robinson and Seay are part of a team comprising about 10 case workers who assist military members, veterans and their families in Michigan. Personal recognition aside, both credit their Red Cross team with providing exceptional service.  

Tom Robinson

Robinson has accumulated his more than 4,500 hours of service over 19 years at the Red Cross. In the early days, he responded to home fires, drove an emergency response vehicle for a disaster relief operation and provided assistance during deployments for hurricanes Katrina Wilma and tropical storm Ernesto, all the while performing SAF case work one day a week.

He first learned about the Red Cross and its work with the military during the Vietnam War.

“I was at my outpost, and I saw this guy coming down the street with a jungle hat, jungle fatigues and no weapon,” Robinson recalled. “I said, ‘what is this guy doing out here, in the bush, no weapon, no gear whatsoever. The closer he got I saw that he had a Red Cross emblem on his hat.”

“I’m looking for Thomas Robinson Jr.,” the Red Crosser said. “Your father is ill, and we have to get you home.”

Robinson returned to his base and arrangements were made for him to call home and speak with his mother.That interaction with the Red Cross had a lasting impression on Robinson. It still resonates with him more than 50 years later.

“If I ever would be in control of soldiers, I would treat them with respect and dignity. Same thing with the Red Cross,” he said. “There are people (families with loved one serving in the military) who need assistance, who don’t know what to do, where to go, how to get resources. I said this is what I’ll do and provide soldiers, veterans (and their families) with those resources. That’s what I’ve been doing ever since.”

Robinson retired from the U.S. Army as first sergeant in 1993. 

“Twenty-five years, six months and 18 days,” he said.

By his estimate, Robinson said he has assisted “thousands” of families as a SAF case worker. Having a military background has been invaluable in helping families navigate the world of military service.

“I’m making a difference in a family’s life that has an emergency,” said Robinson, an Eaton Rapids resident and volunteer in the Mid-Michigan Chapter in Lansing. “I am able to provide them with some insight into what we do, how we do it, and how the military works once they get that information.

“This is what keeps me going, besides my wife, Jo Elaine. It keeps me active, and I’m getting new information every day. When a city of Lansing decides to set up a veterans shelter or a veterans event, I write down the information so I can pass it on to a veteran who needs assistance.”  

Jim Seay

Later this year will mark Seay’s 18th year as a Red Cross volunteer. He, too, performed disaster assistance and SAF case work when he began volunteering. Now it’s exclusive SAF case work.

“I like that we are providing a really great service for these families,” said Seay, a resident of Morley, about 45 miles north of Grand Rapids. “You are making sure the T’s are crossed, the I’s are dotted, and everybody has been communicated with. (Military) command is making the decision on what to do for leave for the service member and we have been in communication with the family about next steps.”

Seay served in the U.S. Navy from 1961-65, and was part of the naval tactical data systems unit, a first in the military at the time to track the movement of combat ships in the battlespace.

He parlayed that experience into a rewarding 31-year career in computer sales. In retirement, he played golf and performed volunteer work with the American Legion, even becoming part of their Honor Guard. He also volunteered for the local fire department and served as a paramedic for 13 years. He also kept busy at the party store he and his wife, Linda, purchased, working nights and weekends.

Then, one day after golf season had ended in 2006, he “walked into a Red Cross office and asked what I could do.” He has been serving the Red Cross and the military community ever since.“We’re a unique group,” he said. “We all do the same thing. It’s got to be as dedicated as any (SAF case work) unit in the country.”

Seay credits his mother with the compassion gene he carries for helping others. “My mother used to be the angel of the neighborhood growing up. Anybody in need to spend the night or help someone who was sick, that was my mom. I’m assuming I got that desire to help from her,” he said.

Navigating the challenges of military service can be challenging for military families. Case workers like Seay and his team help to alleviate the anxiety through regular communications with families. Seay doesn’t know how many families he has helped over the years, only that “it’s a lot.”

“I wouldn’t be doing it, if I didn’t enjoy it,” Seay said. “We’re helping people in a real time of need.”