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 and Mimi Teller/American Red Cross
For Midori Shelton, the American Red Cross isn’t just a humanitarian organization — it’s part of her family’s story. That connection began long before she joined the Tiffany Circle. It was shaped in her grandmother Meloni Hallock’s home, where Red Cross pins, photos and stories of disaster relief were part of everyday life.
Meloni’s own journey started in 1996, not long after she moved from the Midwest to California. Tornadoes were familiar to her, but earthquakes were not. Hoping to learn by osmosis, she began volunteering — and found a lifelong calling. Meloni's commitment to service was shaped by her family's history during World War II. In 1942, her parents and grandparents—legal residents from Japan and U.S. citizens of Japanese American descent, were incarcerated in remote internment camps. During that time, Quaker volunteers visited the camps, offering books, supplies and encouragement. Meloni’s mother, Midori Ochi, later received a scholarship to attend college in the Midwest, an opportunity that changed the course of their family’s life. Raised in the Midwest with her siblings, Meloni grew up surrounded by stories of resilience and the kindness of others; values that continue to guide her today.
“I’ve always believed in building others up through hard times,” Meloni said. “That’s what the Red Cross does — and it’s what I’ve tried to pass down.”
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.
In 2018, Meloni invited Midori to the Tiffany Circle International Forum in Geneva. For Midori, it was a turning point.
“There is where I received the world’s greatest crash course in all things the Red Cross does for people around the world,” she said.
That experience sparked Midori’s desire to get involved — not just with the Red Cross, but with the Tiffany Circle, a community of philanthropic women committed to advancing the organization’s mission. Today, she proudly shares membership with her grandmother, a lifelong mentor and source of inspiration.
“She’s taught me so much in my life, but at the root of all of it is the importance of caring for others,” Midori said. “As her only granddaughter, I relish the opportunity to learn from her and put those lessons into action.”
In 2024, the two returned to Geneva for another Tiffany Circle Forum, followed by a pilgrimage to Solferino, Italy — the birthplace of the Red Cross mission. The trip deepened their appreciation for Henry Dunant’s vision and the global humanitarian movement he founded.
Drawing on Meloni’s nearly 40 years of service, the duo has contributed to initiatives like Sound the Alarm, supported communities affected by the Pacific Palisades fires. Their shared tradition has strengthened their bond — not only through Red Cross work, but in their everyday lives.
Midori describes herself as being in “Chapter 1” or “Chapter 2” of her Red Cross journey. She’s donated blood, supported fundraising efforts and continues to seek meaningful ways to contribute her talents. Her goal is to help sustain and grow the Red Cross mission for future generations — especially by engaging her peers.
“I envision myself finding new ways to reach younger generations and innovating in ways that they can continue to grow the Red Cross mission,” she said.
As one of the younger members of the Tiffany Circle, Midori sees her role as a bridge — connecting tradition with innovation, and legacy with future impact.
“For me, it’s about never taking the philanthropy hat off in my day-to-day life,” she said. “It’s about always maintaining an open dialogue.”
That dialogue, she believes, is what sparks others to get involved. And it’s the sense of community within the Tiffany Circle that fuels her hope.
“There’s no greater feeling than having a community behind you to back you up,” Midori said. “I feel such a deep sense of support from the women in this organization, even as a fairly young and new member.”
Meloni agrees. “The exciting part of being part of the Red Cross movement is we don’t have to agree on a lot of stuff,” she said. “But the one thing we all agree on is that people in need — whether it’s war, natural disaster or even a home fire — need help. And we’re there to help. And if we can’t do it, we’ll find somebody who will.”
Together, Meloni Hallock and Midori Shelton embody the spirit of the Red Cross; a legacy of compassion, resilience and action passed down through generations. Their story is a testament to the power of family, philanthropy and the enduring mission to prevent, prepare, respond and recover.
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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