By Anastassia Roberts, American Red Cross intern

Valentine’s Day is the day of love, and what better way to express your devotion than through dedicating your time to a cause close to your heart? American Red Cross couples Georgia and Chuck Duncan, Rodney and Alicia Escobedo, and Janice and Bill Spear shared about their experiences volunteering together, highlighting the joy of making a difference as a team.

All three Red Cross couples are retired, so volunteering with the Red Cross is a wonderful way to remain active. “We both are retired and working with the Red Cross keeps us connected knowing we are helping those in need,” Rodney shared. Both Rodney and Alicia are a part of the Disaster Action Team, and they assist in providing shelter clients with shelter, food, and compassion. One special moment Rodney can recall is an interaction that occurred between him and an individual staying at the emergency evacuation shelter while he was deployed for the Paradise Fire. “She was a volunteer for many years with the Red Cross... she wrote a note to me that said ‘once a Red Crosser, always a Red Crosser. You are special and your dear wife.’ That meant a lot to me,” Rodney shared. Although Alicia became a Red Cross volunteer three months before Rodney did, they both have been volunteering with the Red Cross for seven years. “I probably wouldn’t be volunteering at all if it wasn’t for my wife involving me with the Red Cross,” Rodney shared.

Volunteering with the Red Cross since 2018, Bill and Janice cover the western cities of San Bernardino County. Janice began her Red Cross journey volunteering in Health Services, but now she and Bill are involved in Hot Shots, which are volunteer teams that support the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign and work to help save lives by installing free smoke alarms and providing home fire safety education in the community. They also work in Disaster Services with the Logistics team. “We both wanted to give back some time to a well-respected organization, and both of us see how well the Red Cross services people in need,” Janice shared.

Chuck and Georgia have been Red Cross volunteers for 16 years. Chuck serves in multiple roles with Disaster Cycle Services, including having served as a Disaster Response Job Director and overseeing all mass care operations during large-scale disasters. This includes overseeing all aspects of disaster response, such as sheltering, feeding and emergency supply distribution in affected disaster. Georgia also volunteers with Disaster Cycle Services. She volunteers in many areas, including leading reunification teams connecting individuals with their families following a disasters. She is also active in many External Relations roles, including Public Affairs. “While our jobs are very different, we are familiar with Red Cross doctrine and fundamentals, which apply to every Group Activity Position (GAP),” Georgia shared. They both have deployed to various types of disasters across the country, from hurricanes to wildfires. 

We are grateful for the effort, dedication and many years of volunteer service that the Escobedos, the Spears and the Duncans have given to support the Red Cross mission. This Valentine’s Day you too can give a gift from the heart and become a volunteer by visiting redcross.org/volunteer.