By Joe Gutierrez, American Red Cross volunteer

Volunteer Myka Green reconnected with the American Red Cross earlier this year because she wanted to be more involved in her community, specifically the military community and especially the Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) program.

“As the spouse of an active-duty Marine and daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran, giving back to this community is very meaningful to me,” Myka said. “I’ve been fortunate to benefit from the support it provides, from attending UC Berkeley, tuition-free through my father’s service, to becoming a medical assistant through a military spouse scholarship. Volunteering with the Red Cross, especially the SAF, feels like an impactful way to pay that forward.”

In Myka’s case, her volunteer work led to her being named the November 2025 Red Cross Volunteer of the Month for San Diego and Imperial counties.

Myka is recognized for her dedication, compassion and leadership by both her Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton (NHCP) office and the Regional Hero Care Network teams in SAF. Serving multiple shifts per week at NHCP, Myka has provided invaluable support to the Patient Relations Department, assisting military service members, families and veterans.

In nominating Myka for the volunteer of the month honor, fellow Red Crossers recognized her efforts that go beyond with her support of our Red Cross Medical Professional Volunteer team and ensures that hospital departments stay informed about SAF behavioral health programs, deployment readiness resources, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) opportunities.

They wrote, “As both a military spouse and future physician, Myka brings empathy and professionalism to every interaction. She played a key role in onboarding the American Red Cross WIC program of the NHCP and providing vital emergency community support to military families in times of need.”

Myka first became involved with the Red Cross in 2014, during her summer break from school, when she had the opportunity to travel to Japan and volunteer with the Japanese Red Cross.

“During that time, I supported blood donation efforts by visiting train and subway stations to encourage passersby to donate,” Myka said. “I also interned in their blood processing centers, where I gained insight into their day-to-day operations.”

What attracted her to the Red Cross was its global presence and long-standing reputation as a humanitarian organization.

“The Red Cross and Red Crescent are truly ubiquitous, offering support to communities around the world,” Myka said. “After joining the organization officially, I was struck by the wide range of opportunities. There are so many meaningful ways to contribute, no matter your skills, interests, or goals.”

She believes she is a strong fit for the Red Cross, especially within Services to the Armed Forces.

“The mission aligns closely with my own background and values,” she said. “As both a military spouse and daughter of service members, I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back directly to the community that has supported my family.”

Currently, Myka has several roles in the Red Cross. Twice a week, she provides office support at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital. She also participates in engagement events on base to raise awareness of the WIC program among military families. In addition, she assists the Hero Care Center by following up with families after emergency communication messages have been sent, ensuring they receive the support and information they need. She also occasionally participates in community outreach events, such as Sound the Alarm and Save a Life, to promote emergency preparedness and strengthen interdepartmental partnerships.

Myka’s motivation to serve as a Red Cross volunteer stems from her future career goals, which closely align with the organization’s mission and the needs of the communities it serves.

“I was recently accepted into medical school and plan to become a physician, specifically serving the military community,” Myka said. “Through my role as office support at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital, I see firsthand the need for increased professional volunteers across many of the hospital’s understaffed departments. Looking ahead, my goal is to remain active with the Red Cross and eventually return as a volunteer physician.”

Myka’s defining Red Cross moment occurred while she was representing the Red Cross and WIC at a spousal resource tabling event. A woman approached the table to learn more about the Red Cross services. As Myka explained WIC and emergency communication messages, the woman shared her own experience: She needed to send an emergency communication message during her husband’s recent deployment, and the Red Cross’s swift response allowed him to be granted emergency leave so he could be with her. The woman also shared that she had relied on WIC for her first child, which had been immensely helpful for her family.

“Hearing firsthand how the projects I was involved in had a tangible, meaningful impact on someone’s life was incredibly rewarding,” Myka said. “That moment made me realize that my efforts were directly improving the lives of the people and community I’d committed to serving when I joined the Red Cross.”

To her, the best thing about being a Red Cross volunteer is twofold.

First, there are abundant opportunities to make a tangible impact, both within the local community and on a broader scale.

“Whether I’m supporting daily operations at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital, helping raise awareness of the WIC program for military families, following up with service members after emergency communication messages, or participating in outreach events like Sound the Alarm, I’m constantly reminded of how far-reaching the Red Cross mission truly is,” she said.

Another equally rewarding aspect is the people who make the organization what it is. She said the Red Cross attracts individuals who are passionate, service-oriented, and committed to helping others, and being a part of this environment is truly inspirational and motivating.

Myka also gave a special shoutout to her supervisor, Angela Fie, “who has gone above and beyond to help me recognize my potential within the organization and has actively guided me toward roles that align with my long-term goals, especially as I prepare to begin medical school and ultimately serve as a physician in the military community. Her encouragement and support has made my volunteer experience deeply rewarding.”

Myka said she is deeply honored to serve alongside the dedicated volunteers who make the Red Cross the incredible organization that it is today.

“It’s the passion and kindness of the volunteers I’ve met that inspire me every day to serve to the best of my abilities,” she said. “Your dedication not only strengthens the organization but also creates a meaningful, lasting impact in the communities we serve. Thank you for your hard work, your support, and for setting such an inspiring example for those of us who are proud to join you in this mission.”

And to potential volunteers, she would encourage them to join the Red Cross because it’s a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible difference in others' lives.

“Volunteering here allows you to contribute while also being recognized for your efforts, as I’ve experienced. The Red Cross offers a wide range of opportunities across multiple departments, so no matter your skills, interests, or goals, you can find a role that aligns with your strengths and passions,” Myka said. “Volunteering with the Red Cross is not only fulfilling, but also a chance to be a part of a community dedicated to service and positive impact on local and global communities.”