By Joe Gutierrez, American Red Cross volunteer

Gincy Heins, who was named the American Red Cross of Orange County 2024 August Volunteer of the Month, joined the organization with one thing in mind: help U.S. service members and their families.

Gincy’s interest in volunteering came after her son joined the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) in August 2022. He is currently deployed in Kuwait.

“I looked for ways to volunteer and help our service members and their families and wasn’t really finding the right opportunity,” Gincy said. “One day a military spouse posted on Instagram about a volunteer opportunity, but it was only for military members and their spouses. I messaged her and asked if she knew of anything a civilian, military mom could do and she suggested I check with the Red Cross.”

Gincy visited the Red Cross website and discovered Service to the Armed Forces (SAF). She applied instantly and started volunteering in October 2023.

Along with being an SAF caseworker, Gincy attends outreach events, including blood drives. She has also joined the SAF Casework Program Improvement Committee, where she is helping to improve the program for current and future volunteers and clients.

What helped attract her to the Red Cross was its outstanding reputation.

“I knew that the Red Cross was always on the scene of a natural disaster or house fire, ran blood drives, and taught first aid and CPR classes,” Gincy said. “Until I looked at the website, I had no idea there was such a need for volunteers in so many different areas. I saw where I could fit in with the needs of the Red Cross.”

In joining the organization, the Orange County resident brought her work experience in the business world and her current volunteer activities. Her experience includes teaching a class for older adults, being a city commissioner and being on the validation committee for Wish of a Lifetime, a charitable affiliate of AARP, which grants life-changing wishes to older adults and inspires people to redefine aging in America. She is also the creator and editor of several books on caregiving and helping those affected by dementia.

Being a volunteer is not new to her. She believes it is in her DNA as both of her parents were volunteers for the military during WWII and continued volunteering for the rest of their lives, inspiring her two brothers and herself to become volunteers.

However, Gincy believes her current experience as a military mom of a deployed son makes her most qualified to volunteer with the Red Cross SAF.

“I am able to relate to moms and spouses whose loved one is also deployed and share a unique level of connection and understanding that I could not have provided in the past,” she said.

Gincy’s typical week as an SAF volunteer begins by reviewing all the notes on an assigned case and then calling the service member or a family member to discuss the situation. The cases relate to sending an emergency contact message (ECM) or the need for financial aid. The emergency contact messages that the Red Cross is asked to send relate to either a family member’s health or the death of a family member.

“Some calls are really quick, sometimes I leave a message, and sometimes the person I’m talking to needs to talk longer so they feel better,” Gincy said. “I document whatever happened on the phone call, whether I left a message or spoke to someone, then I move on to my next case.”

Her motivation to stay involved comes back to her parents and their lifelong time as volunteers.

“As I have volunteered most of my life. I have found that it’s important to believe in the organization’s cause and enjoy the work,” Gincy said. “I like helping people, and this position gives me that opportunity. The Red Cross is an amazing organization that helps so many people. Most of the work is unknown to the general public. The people I speak to are so grateful to the Red Cross for our assistance.”

Her “Red Cross moment” came as new SAF volunteer.

“The first time I was able to comfort a mom with the words, ‘I’m also an Air Force mom,’ I knew I was volunteering with the right organization,” Gincy said. “I don’t know anyplace else where I’d have the opportunity to make that connection with people.”

And she believes that’s one of the best things about being with the Red Cross.

“I am reaching out to people during a challenging time in their lives,” she said. “The best thing about volunteering with the Red Cross is helping others when they really need it.”

What she would tell her fellow volunteers is how vital their efforts are.

“I am in awe of every one of you! The work you do is so important. Every single person makes such a difference! While you may think what you do is small, it isn’t minor to the people you’re helping. There is a Mother Theresa quote that fits this perfectly, ‘We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.’”

And to potential Red Cross volunteers, Gincy’s advice would be:“Do it! There are so many volunteer positions with the Red Cross! If you have any interest in “maybe” volunteering, check them out! You can work remotely or in person; you can learn new skills or put those skills you have to good use; you will meet new people and maybe make new friends. However you decide to help, you get more than you give when you’re a volunteer.”