By Noreen Walton, American Red Cross volunteer

When Terry Allinger, San Diego and Imperial Counties July 2023 Volunteer of the Month, retired in 2017 after 33 years of teaching, she quickly began looking for the next chapter in her life. “I remember seeing items about the Red Cross in the news and realized that the Red Cross is an organization that helps people in their most dire moments.” After six years as a volunteer, Terry continues to believe in the importance of volunteering with the American Red Cross. She adds, with a laugh, “It also keeps me busy!”

A middle school teacher for most of her career, Terry acquired skills in the classroom that she now uses in her work with the Disaster Assistance Team (DAT), Sheltering, Feeding and Logistics teams. “In the classroom, I learned how to work with the whole child. To listen carefully to what they are saying, but also to ask them what they are feeling, and how they are responding to a certain situation,” said Terry. “I use those same skills when I am on a DAT response. When you go to a house where a person or a family has lost everything, you have to listen carefully to find out what they need and how the Red Cross can help them.”

Terry takes great pride in being a part of the Red Cross. As she explains it, “I’ve had quite a few experiences where people stop by the site of a DAT call. They want to thank me and the other volunteers. Some of these people tell us about how the Red Cross helped them some time in their lives. It’s a feeling of pride. Thank goodness that we, the Red Cross, can be there in those times of need.”

One of Terry’s recent assignments, and also one of her favorites, is feeding coordinator, where she has streamlined response procedures, as well as planned and executed feeding initiatives for Sound the Alarm events. “Feeding is a fun place to be. You get to interact with so many people, so many volunteers.” She encourages her fellow volunteers to try new things in the organization. “If you think you want to do something new or different with the Red Cross, do it. When you dabble, you just might find your new passion, your new niche.”

Terri Allinger’s message to potential Red Cross volunteers shows the depth of her commitment to helping others. “If you are looking for a way to give back, if you are looking for an organization that makes a difference on the spot, where you can see the effects of your work right away, then volunteer with the Red Cross!”