Carmen Hernandez recalls the devastation Hurricane Maria left in 2017 when it struck the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
“After Hurricane Maria, I felt like I had to do something to help Puerto Rico,” says Carmen, who was retired at the time. “There was an announcement that they needed volunteers. They said where they were recruiting. I went on Thursday and started on Friday.”
First helping those impacted by the disaster, and later supporting Puerto Rico’s military community through the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program, volunteerism has been an especially meaningful journey for Carmen, who was once helped by the Red Cross.
“I was in the Army and my dad died in Puerto Rico,” Carmen shares. “I was in Germany and so was my mom. We returned to Puerto Rico through the Red Cross. All this experience has given me the opportunity to understand family members on calls and have the empathy to help others.”
As a Red Cross Hero Care caseworker, Carmen now helps families just like hers, by relaying emergency communication messages through the 24/7, global Hero Care Network and connecting service members, veterans and their families to free and confidential assistance any day, anytime. In 2024, Red Crossers delivered emergency communications messages to connect more than 70,000 military families going through an emergency or major life event while separated by deployments around the world.
As part of the network, the Red Cross also works with military aid societies to connect eligible members of the military and veteran communities with financial assistance in times of hardship. Just this year, Red Cross workers answered thousands of calls from military families affected by this year's hurricanes — including Helene and Milton — and connected them with military aid societies to help facilitate recovery assistance.
Carmen's passion for aiding others in emergencies resonates with 42 new Hero Care Network volunteers who joined following this year’s hurricanes to help carry out this work. These volunteers logged over 500 hours in just one month, communicating with service members and veterans, military commands and military aid societies.
Carmen, when reflecting on why she continues to volunteer, says, “I have had many beautiful experiences. I've met a lot of people in the Red Cross, people who have been in the military. The way you see life when you help others fills you physically, mentally and spiritually. To all those who wish and have the time to be part of this great organization that is the Red Cross, do not think twice and offer your time as you can.”
Amid emergencies of all types, people continue to turn to the American Red Cross for support and care on a massive scale, and our commitment to military and veteran communities remains unwavering.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
