Reuben Ebanks is a man whose life is defined by giving back. As an active-duty Marine with nearly 27 years of service, Reuben has dedicated his life to his country and its people. Currently deployed with the American Red Cross, he exemplifies a deep commitment to serving others, whether in uniform or as a volunteer.

Born in the Cayman Islands, Reuben migrated to the United States in the early 1990s. Before joining the military, he pursued his education at Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, followed by further studies at Prince George's University, South Florida.

Reuben's journey with the Red Cross began in 2021 while stationed in San Diego. Introduced to the organization through friends and his involvement with the USO, Reuben knew there was more he could do to help his community. His early volunteer activities included participating in Sound the Alarm smoke alarm instillation events and delivering water to people in need, laying the groundwork for his continued involvement with the Red Cross. He says, "I just fell in love with being a part of a bigger community with the Red Cross and all the friendships and comradeship that we get through volunteering."

Last year, Reuben deployed for the first time to help the people impacted by the Hawaii wildfires. During his three-week deployment, he served as a member of an intake team, where he met with affected families, heard their stories and provided financial assistance to help them rebuild their destroyed lives. During his final week, he conducted security inspections around Maui and saw firsthand the devastation caused by the fires. His experience and the destruction he witnessed during that deployment inspired him to continue his service, motivating him to deploy again in the future.

Currently, Reuben supports the logistics team, focusing on procurement and ensuring the timely delivery of supplies. His role is vital in supporting the Red Cross's ongoing efforts to provide relief during disasters and he loves that he has found another way to help. He says, "It's always great to give something back to the communities, you know, that have been impacted and to make a difference whether you're working behind the scenes or up on the front line. People are really appreciative of all the Red Cross volunteers and everybody else that come to help them out."

Reuben's military experience has instilled in him resilience, flexibility, patience and respect—qualities that have significantly enhanced his effectiveness as a volunteer when faced with the challenges of helping families whose lives have been turned upside down. Often, these families are overwhelmed with the recovery process and paperwork, all while still working through their own emotions and tending to their children. Reuben's levelheadedness and demeanor provide a steadying presence, reassuring families and helping them navigate the complex recovery process with compassion.

Reuben's dedication to service doesn't stop with his own actions; he's also committed to encouraging others in his unit to join him in giving back. As the volunteer coordinator for his Keesler Air Force Base Marine unit, Reuben is responsible for encouraging other Marines to volunteer. He emphasizes giving back to the community and has motivated many fellow Marines to get involved. He found his comrades loved to volunteer and said, "They love going out there, and it helps when you let them know the perks of volunteering as well as how it makes you feel good."

For Reuben, volunteering is a labor of love. His passion for helping people and making a difference is evident in every aspect of his service. He exemplifies the importance of being part of something bigger than himself and what it means to be an extraordinary volunteer.

Currently, Reuben is deployed with the Red Cross in Columbia, SC, responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Debby. He’ll work together with over 1,000 other volunteers to help devastated communities begin the recovery process in multiple states. If you’d like to lend a hand, please visit us at redcross.org, where you can sign up to volunteer alongside people like Reuben or make a financial donation to help us continue our life-changing work.