By Joe Gutierrez, American Red Cross volunteer

Doug Sereno has been a volunteer with the American Red Cross of Orange County for over two years. During that time, he has become an indispensable member of the Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) team, undertaking important and crucial tasks.

For his efforts, Doug has been named the Red Cross December Volunteer of the Month by the preparedness team and across multiple departments for “his unwavering dedication, exceptional reliability and tremendous impact he has made in a short time.” He recently completed one of the most significant projects for the Home Fire Campaign; scanning and digitizing all smoke alarm documentation from the inception of the program to the present day, nearly 10 years worth of documents.

From his painstaking work, those records are now accessible remotely on SharePoint to streamline lives saved reviews and follow-up calls for Sound the Alarm, a program that aims to reduce home fire deaths and injuries by providing free smoke alarms and fire safety education to local community members.

“I guess you could also say I’m kind of a spreadsheet geek,” said Doug, who volunteers in logistics and community preparedness. “I’ve been loving doing the data entry and record entry work for the community preparedness programs. I love it when data is solid, well-organized, and useful for future programs.”

For logistics, Doug has transitioned into a planning role for the Sound the Alarm and wildfire preparedness programs. He also serves in disaster services during emergency shelter operations, including building dozens of pipe and drape units for Red Cross shelters for the safety and security of its clients.

For community preparedness, he helps with the Prepare with Pedro and Be Red Cross Ready programs, often stepping in when no other presenters were available. His presentations across Orange County, especially at senior apartment communities, have earned sincere compliments and gratitude from attendees.

According to the nomination, “Doug’s incredible work ethic and his ability to lead with kindness, integrity and humility are beyond appreciated and his dedication strengthens our programs, teams and the communities we serve.”

Doug got involved with the Red Cross a little over two years ago after learning about the wildfires that impacted Maui.

“I’m from Hawaii with all my family roots going back to Maui. When I realized the magnitude of the destruction, it was impossible to believe the extent of the damage, not only to the physical structures but to the cultural and historical values embodied in Lahaina,” he said. “But, even more than that, it was the damage that was done to the people that I knew, that I grew up with and that I identified so closely with. I saw what the Red Cross was doing for the people I love and felt moved to join.”

What attracted Doug to the Red Cross was the need to stay involved and engaged.

“I’ve been retired for 10 years and, after a busy career in which I had felt engaged and motivated to serve others,” he said. “The Red Cross gave me that incentive to remain active and a purpose that would satisfy my desire to provide service to the community around me.”

He believes his work before retirement made him a good fit for the Red Cross, especially in community preparedness and logistics.

“After a career in engineering, which required good project/program management skills, I felt at home working with the Red Cross,” Doug said. “I like the areas I serve in because I have always enjoyed supporting others in my work and this provides me the best opportunity to do that.”

He said the Red Cross gives him a purpose in serving others.

“I enjoy supporting the team and I have the highest respect for our management staff,” Doug said. “I know how hard it is to manage any large program but to do it with hundreds of volunteers as your vital resource gives me the highest respect for Red Cross staff. I love supporting them.”

His Red Cross moment came while serving in logistics as part of the organization’s response to the Los Angeles wildfires.

“I was impressed by how, amongst all the chaos and confusion, the Red Cross was able to deliver at the highest level, leveraging the diverse talents of individuals and organizations, shifting things around while recovering from staffing lapses and delayed resources,” he said. “I thought if this organization, as varied as its mission and staffing requirements are, can perform at this level using volunteers for the majority of its staffing, then that is an organization where I can find purpose and good people.”

To him, one of the most amazing things about Red Cross is that the organization unfailingly meets people exactly where they are.

“I have never been made to feel badly, inadequate or less than others if I have not been able to serve in a certain capacity or assignment,” Doug said. “They understand the value of its volunteers, treats them well, trains them for their assignments, supports them in what they can offer, honors their commitment and shows gratitude for the service they provide.”

His message to fellow Red Cross volunteers is that they amaze him.

“I’m so impressed with the diversity of our volunteer workforce and I’m so very grateful for the kind of people that they are,” Doug said. “They are great examples of unselfish service, and I truly appreciate those who have befriended and mentored me.”

For potential Red Cross volunteers, he would simply tell them they will be welcomed.

“If anyone is interested in volunteering with the Red Cross and you are at all unsure about what you can provide, please know that you will be appreciated for exactly who you are and what you can bring to the table,” Doug said. “You are needed, you will be supported and appreciated, and you will be valued for who you are.”