Volunteer and Navy Veteran Aleksander Krutanis brings frienship and hot coffee to veterans at the West Los Angeles Veterans hospital lobby whenever his busy schedule permits. (Photo courtesty of Aleksander Krutanis).
Marc Coronel/American Red Cross
In response to the devastating Los Angeles fires, Navy veteran Aleksander Krutainis began volunteering with the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF), ready to help wherever needed. At the time, the SAF team was facing over 100 new volunteer referrals—an overwhelming influx of people wanting to serve but unsure how to begin. Aleksander stepped in immediately, joining the SAF Onboarding Team to help guide new volunteers through the process.
As a veteran himself, he felt a strong pull toward supporting fellow service members at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration (VA). When the West LA VA lead representative position opened in July, Aleksander’s name rose to the top.
Since stepping into the role, he has helped streamline communication between the VA and the Red Cross and guided volunteers through the complex VA badge qualification process, making sure they felt confident and supported every step of the way. His leadership embodies Clara Barton’s enduring message: “You must never think of anything except the need, and how to meet it.”
For Aleksander, the heart of this work comes down to connection.
“I wanted to support veterans who might be facing challenges similar to my own,” he shared. “Sometimes showing up and listening is the most powerful thing we can do.”
When asked what accomplishment from his first year makes him most proud, Aleksander didn’t hesitate: “Seeing people successfully get their VA badge. There’s a sense of pride that comes with it—you feel like you’re part of something greater. Watching our volunteer numbers grow and knowing we can consistently staff these events is incredibly uplifting.”
Even when he temporarily relocated to North Carolina, he continued the mission by joining local Red Cross teams to assemble holiday kits for deployed service members. No matter where his path takes him, Aleksander’s compassion and dedication continue to touch the lives of veterans he serves.
Join our team of SAF volunteers today! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to begin your journey.
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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