By Noreen Walton, American Red Cross volunteer

May 2020 Volunteer of the Month Melody Armendariz has been volunteering with the American Red Cross for eight years in Imperial Valley. A quick learner, determined to give 100 percent to any job she was assigned, Melody started Imperial Valley’s casework team and currently serves as the Volunteer Partner to the Imperial Valley Program Manager.   

Casework is a perfect fit for Melody. “My job is to advocate for our clients,” she explains. “And I do. I am reliable. I love attention to detail. And I hate to wait!”  Melody credits her mother for instilling in her the passion to help others. “From when I was little, my mom taught me to look out for other people. To take care of them. I know what it means to be an advocate.” Melody’s job as a medical transcriber for hospitals in New York and Houston has equipped her with another important caseworker skill: a keen eye for detail. “When I review case reports, I’m always looking for what’s missing. I look for what still needs to be done to make sure our clients feel safe and whole again.”

Can she recall a special Red Cross moment? They are all special, according to Melody. “Every time I follow up on casework, and the client tells me ‘I don’t know what I would have done without you,’ that’s very special to me and to our team.” 

Melody continues, “I like the camaraderie among the staff. I like sharing the rewarding feeling you get when you know you’ve helped somebody and made a difference in their life.” That sense of teamwork has earned Melody the nickname “Mom” among the Imperial Valley staff. 

Melody Armendariz definitely deserves that nickname, along with the recognition she has earned as May’s Volunteer of the Month.

For more information on how to become a volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer.