By Lori Baker, American Red Cross Communications Volunteer
From Japan to New Mexico, Elizabeth Gonzalez’s American Red Cross volunteer work has been impactful in many ways.
She became a Red Cross volunteer in 2024 when her second child was 9 months old and her husband was stationed in Misawa, Japan. In 2025, they moved to an Air Force base in New Mexico where she has been volunteering for the Red Cross New Mexico Chapter.
“I want my children to learn and see that giving back to your community starts with someone having enough courage and strength to start. Being able to help those around me and provide information, comfort kits, tabling items, anything that I may have to give is rewarding,” Elizabeth said.
For her outstanding volunteer work, Elizabeth was recently honored with the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and International Services Volunteer of the Year by the New Mexico Chapter.
Elizabeth has worn many Red Cross volunteer hats in Misawa and New Mexico, dedicating over 1,000 hours so far.
As the Public Relations and Marketing Lead In Misawa, she created flyers, newsletters, posters, slide decks and picture collages. She also volunteered regionally as the Operations and Resiliency Partner, working with subject matter experts on the resiliency courses. She also started the Animal Visitation Program at Misawa, held many briefings for deploying and returning airmen and sailors, and provided information and items at Red Cross events.
In New Mexico, she is the Volunteer Resiliency Outreach Liaison at the Holloman Air Force Base and in the Alamogordo area. She coordinates resiliency workshops for the New Mexico and Arizona region.
She has made many connections with partner organizations, assisted volunteers on Holloman Air Force Base, and organized and participated in multiple veteran events impacting hundreds of veterans and their families.
“Elizabeth is not just helping SAF operations in New Mexico but she has also impacted the Arizona/New Mexico Region as she has helped to provide resiliency facilitators to our military members and provided all the logistical work for facilitator travel. Elizabeth has been and continues to be a true example of selfless service and reliability to SAF,” Daniel Garcia, New Mexico Community Volunteer Leader, who nominated Elizabeth for the Red Cross award.
Elizabeth encourages others to become Red Cross volunteers.
“Volunteering with the American Red Cross has been a wonderful experience. I have been to amazing events and locations due to this organization, and I am forever grateful for all the time I have spent in my community. I always encourage people to join the Red Cross so that they can see amazing events, locations, and people around us,” Elizabeth said.
If you’re interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, go to redcross.org for more information.
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