By Joe Gutierrez, American Red Cross volunteer

Renée Sabol’s dedication to helping others as an American Red Cross volunteer stands out when talking to her or seeing her work as a Regional Shelter Program Lead and as a Disaster Program Manager Volunteer Partner.

Her organizational ability and dedication to problem-solving in helping fellow volunteers and administrators stood out so much that Renée has been named the Red Cross Volunteer of the Month. It also marks the second time she has received that honor – Renée was recognized as the June 2021 Volunteer of the Month and 2021 Volunteer of the Year.

“I was attracted to the Red Cross because of the purity of the mission. I am drawn to serving my community, and helping people in emergency situations seems to be the most important mission anyone could support,” said Renée. “I have a strong organizational ability and enjoy fixing problems. Most of my work involves bringing solutions to problems for those I support and answering questions from people up and down the command chain during a Disaster Relief Operation or during Blue Sky.” 

Renée joined the Red Cross in 2018 bringing tons of experience as a volunteer. She began her volunteer work when her children attended elementary school. In that time, she started and was the leader of three different nonprofits. She also served on the Castaic Area Town Council that serves as an advisory body to the county supervisor. She served as president of the local chamber of commerce and founded a weekend festival at Castaic Lake that went for six years, and the nonprofit that managed and organized the event.

In her service as a Red Cross Shelter Program Lead and Disaster Program Manager for the last three years, Renée has:

• Helped build sheltering teams, identifying and supporting volunteers who have the potential to move up through the Red Cross ranks while ensuring the depth of staff to back-up positions when necessary.
• Helped create new and beneficial processes to ensure the smooth deployment of assets during events and increase engagement and support at all levels.
• Made sure people, tools, procedures and supplies are mission ready.
• Ensured sheltering staff are aware of updates and changes to Red Cross policy in a timely fashion.
• Worked collaboratively with other departments to ensure readiness.
• Supported the Disaster Program Manager for the last year in his successful effort to improve the morale and readiness of the chapter. 

Renée considers these items crucial because teamwork is vital for the Red Cross.

“Without fail, no matter which disaster assignment we’re on – the staff below me that report up the chain in the shelter, and the people above me who are asking all the questions of the people in the shelter – we always have the well-being of the clients front of mind,” said Renée.

She said one of the keys to a successful disaster response is knowing there is backing at all levels of volunteers and administrators. “Coming up from the people I support at the mission level, the supervisors that I support in our chapter, I believe know that they can trust that I have their best interests at heart and I will do whatever I need to do to support them,” said Renée. “I get that from my management up above me that if I am confused and I do not know, they will help me through it. The people in the shelters also understand that if I do not know and I do not understand, I'm going to ask somebody.”

And Renée makes sure she gets back to them. “I will not leave them hanging. For some weird reason, I enjoy being that middle person that connects all that stuff,” she said. “I can take their questions with a sense of humor, too. I will take those questions from up above that drives the supervisors crazy and ask it in a support fashion. I feel like a mama bear. I feel very protective of the staff.”

She is also protective of how the mission is transpiring, how it is playing out. “I like to think ahead. I am one of those people that ‘OK, this is happening. What can we put in place peremptorily to make sure that this outcome doesn't occur, but only the best outcome occurs?’”

Even though her work is often by phone and in front of a keyboard, Renée said she is inspired by the amazing staff and volunteers she is privileged to serve with. “I have the honor of serving with the most dedicated and devoted professionals in the world. I am always humbled by the kindness, generosity and patience that I am shown while executing my duties.”

She talked about the blizzard of 2023 where a shelter was opened in Crestline. The shelter experienced many critical and, at times, life-threatening situations.

“Many very brave volunteers served under extreme conditions and trying to keep their spirits high was challenging. It was important to me that they knew that I had their backs. After the event had closed, I was in a meeting with one of the supervisors and he came up to me and gave me a hug. While it may seem like a simple gesture, it meant the world to me.”

To her fellow volunteers, Renée urges them to do their tasks with joy. “It can be challenging and difficult on any given day but remember to be ‘Kind to clients, Kind to each other and Kind to yourself.’  There are countless ways to serve in the Red Cross. Find the way that brings you joy and to remember that we always have each other's backs.”

To folks who may be considering becoming a Red Cross volunteer, Renée said they “will be welcomed with open arms and enriched beyond their wildest dreams. There is a place for everyone here.

“It will fill you with a sense of making a difference in the world at your pace and making use of the time and effort you can contribute,” she said. “You will always be encouraged, supported and appreciated, no matter how you decide to serve. There is something for everybody.”