From opposite sides of the country—Meloni (left) in California, Midori (right) in the Midwest—the two stay close. What began as a grandmother’s example has grown into a granddaughter’s passion, a thread of purpose that keeps their family legacy alive. (Photos by Lauren Tran/American Red Cross).
By Ny'Jay Poston/American Red Cross
As we walk through our lives, the impact of our steps creates an heirloom that allows people to hand-down values that enrich everyone around us. Building others up through hard times is a cornerstone of the American Red Cross, with those who hold responsibility echoing efforts to assist those in need. This dedication can pass from our hearts to those around us. As shown by Meloni Hallock and Midori Shelton, an enthusiastic grandmother and granddaughter duo that share a strong connection through their service with the Tiffany Circle. Through the woman-led group, they continue to make sure the Red Cross has the strength to prevent, prepare and respond.
“The exciting part of being part of the Red Cross movement is we don't have to agree on a lot of stuff”, said Meloni. “But the one thing we all agree on is that people in need, whether it's war or natural disaster, or even a home fire. Need help and we're there to help. And if we can't do it, we'd find somebody who will or can.”
At the Tiffany Circle National Summit in Washington, D.C., Meloni and Midori joined women philanthropists whose leadership fuels the Red Cross mission. For them, giving isn’t just an act of generosity, it’s a shared calling that turns compassion into community impact.
Before she began her own journey, Meloni often reflected on her grandmother and mother’s experiences during World War II, when their family was placed in Japanese internment camps. Quakers who visited the camp asked if Meloni’s mother wanted to continue her education from high school to college. Despite his conservative nature, Meloni’s grandfather recognized the importance of the opportunity and encouraged her to accept it. A scholarship and job were offered, enabling Meloni’s mother to later build a life in Chicago for herself and her four daughters. Growing up there, Meloni credits the kindness of their community for shaping her values and life lessons.
When Meloni joined the Red Cross in 1996, she had recently moved from the Midwest, where she knew plenty about tornadoes but nothing about earthquakes. Hoping to learn by osmosis, she began volunteering with the Red Cross, only to discover a lifelong passion for helping others and a community that would eventually connect her granddaughter, Midori Shelton, to a shared legacy of service and philanthropy.
In 2018, Meloni first introduced Midori to Tiffany Circle and in 2024, the pair attended the International Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Following the conference, they retraced the historic origins of the Red Cross on an excursion to Solferino, Italy, the birthplace of the Red Cross mission. The trip marked their second Tiffany Circle convention and their first pilgrimage to Solferino, deepening their shared appreciation for Henri Dunant’s vision and the global humanitarian movement they proudly support.
Drawing from her 38 years of service, Meloni has done her best to guide Midori through this journey holistically. Together, they praise the opportunities they have experienced through initiatives like Sound the Alarm, the work done following the Pacific Palisades fires and even as far back as the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.
Midori is grateful to immerse herself in the Red Cross mission by helping spread information to others who want to serve. As one of the younger members of the Tiffany Circle, she hopes to connect her friends, family and her generation, to the Red Cross through social media and storytelling. For Meloni, seeing her granddaughter embrace both service and philanthropy inspires her to continue building on their family’s legacy.
This shared tradition has strengthened their bond not only through their Red Cross work but also in their everyday lives. Midori takes pride in the close relationship she shares with her grandmother and the wisdom that comes from her guidance as she continues to explore her own path.
Both Meloni and Midori believe that anyone who considers joining the Tiffany Circle is sure to connect with trustworthy, uplifting and like-minded women; women who seek to expand their philanthropy and open more doors for those in need.
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.
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