By Michelle Hagge, American Red Cross

In 1972, Anne Spratt began volunteering with the American Red Cross shortly after settling into life at Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base in Riverside, California, with her newlywed Marine husband. More than 50 years later, her Red Cross service to those who serve continues in San Diego.

With limited job opportunities and activities in the Twentynine Palms area, Anne immediately found a Red Cross class she could participate in. “One of the first things I did was take a Red Cross First Aid class taught by the town's Fire Chief,” said Anne. “He was a tremendous instructor and recruiter. I was young, ready, willing and able to do anything for anyone.”

Over the next 20 years, Anne volunteered at military installations and medical centers around the world including the National Naval Medical Center in Maryland, Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. While she was stationed in Guam in 1975, she worked with Vietnamese refugees. She also volunteered at Red Cross phone banks when the United States faced one of the most devastating days in its history on September 11, 2001.

Today, Anne is a dedicated member of the Service to the Armed Forces volunteer team in San Diego. She embodies the Red Cross core values of compassion, collaboration, commitment, credibility, and creativity in everything she does. Her work bridges the gap between the military community and the vital services the Red Cross provides, ensuring service members and their families know where to turn in times of need.

You’ll often find Anne representing the Red Cross at outreach tables and readiness events for active-duty personnel and veterans across San Diego County. Whether at a base resource fair, community celebration, or welcome aboard briefing, she engages attendees with warmth and professionalism, making sure every service member, veteran, and family member understands how the Red Cross can support them before, during, and after military service.

Anne also plays a key role at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in San Diego, where she briefs shippers from all branches of the military. During these sessions, she explains the importance of the Red Cross Hero Care Center and how it can deliver emergency messages—day or night—anywhere in the world. She guides recruits and their families in filling out family contact cards, ensuring they have clear, accurate information on how to initiate an emergency Red Cross message in case of urgent family situations.

Behind the scenes, Anne helps enter this critical contact information into Red Cross systems, strengthening the connection between military members and their loved ones. Her dedication means families can reach their service members quickly in a crisis—an impact that is both deeply personal and mission essential.

Through her tireless outreach and hands-on support, Anne reflects the very best of the Red Cross spirit, ensuring that those who serve are never alone in facing life’s challenges.

“It has been my privilege, honor and joy to be part of the Red Cross and its worldwide mission,” said Anne.

To learn more about how the Red Cross supports our nation’s military community, visit redcross.org/Military.