By Josh Davis, Red Cross volunteer

Each day, American Red Cross volunteers are among the first to respond when disaster strikes. They are the steady hands at blood drives, the compassionate voices who support military families and the dedicated helpers in many other roles, both on the front lines and behind-the-scenes.

An incredible 90% of the workforce of the American Red Cross is volunteers.

However, as disasters become more frequent and severe, the need for volunteers continues to grow. In 2025, the Red Cross has already responded to numerous significant disasters, including a devastating multi-state tornado outbreak in May.

In this spirit, the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region recognizes five exceptional individuals as “Rookies of the Year.”

Each of these new volunteers bring unique skills and perspectives, but all are united by a shared commitment to serve.

Finding a new kind of care

Tametra Klosterman, a registered nurse, said she’s always felt a deep obligation to help others – especially during times of crisis.

“Volunteering with the Red Cross felt like a natural extension of that calling – a way to give back in a meaningful and selfless way, beyond taking care of patients,” she said.

What stands out most to her isn’t a single moment, but the sense of community she’s found through volunteering with the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces team at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

“From day one, it felt like joining a family – one that’s deeply committed to helping others,” she said. “Whether we’re responding to emergencies, or simply walking through the hospital with comfort carts, there’s always a sense of unity and support that reminds me I’m part of something truly meaningful.”

Klosterman said she’s learned that “compassion and presence are just as powerful as clinical care.”

“Volunteering has reminded me that even in moments when we can’t fix everything, we can still offer kindness, support, and dignity,” she said.

For others considering giving back, she said, “Volunteering is one of the most selfless and rewarding ways to help others. The Red Cross gives you the tools, and all you need to bring is a willingness to care. It’s an experience that stays with you for life.”

The power of presence

Andrea Cox retired from oncology nursing in 2022 and soon found herself drawn to the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT).

Recently, she met with a client whose home was damaged by a severe weather event.

“When we started the call, the client expressed his anger and frustration at all he and his family were up against,” Cox said.

By the end of their conversation, she’d opened a case and provided help.

“At the end of our time together, the client was actually cheerful and thankful for what the Red Cross could offer,” she said. “He even sent me some photos of his kids! It made me so happy that the call turned out so well.”

For prospective volunteers, Cox said, “You always get so much more back than you give.”

“Being a DAT responder is often as simple as being a calm and kind presence with someone who is having a very bad day,” she said. “When you leave the person or family that has been offered a first step in recovering from a terrible loss, you get a sense that you did something worthwhile, and a respect for the work that the American Red Cross does.”

Showing up, making change

Radiance Campbell said they sometimes feel removed from the community, despite working in public service.

“I started volunteering [with the Red Cross disaster relief team] because I thought it was time to get my feet back on the ground, and to show up where help is needed in a more direct, tangible, and immediate way,” they said.

That opportunity came during a recent multi-unit fire.

“It was raining, and the situation at the building was complex – logistically and emotionally,” they said. “I was paired with a more experienced volunteer, who offered me grace in my greenness and empowered me to lead where I could. As we extended support to each other and the residents, that night taught me a lot about teamwork, humility, and the power of simply showing up.”

Campbell added, “I was grateful that the Red Cross allowed us to look out for them, too.”

“Before volunteering, I was convinced that ‘making a difference’ had to happen at a national scale – through big policies or institutional change,” they said. “But my time with the Red Cross has reminded me how deeply meaningful direct, client-facing work is. And when the problems of the world feel overwhelming or out of your control, this is what you can do. You can always show up for your neighbor.”

Answering the call, close to home

Christopher Blegen was inspired to volunteer after seeing the Red Cross in action during flooding in Cheverly, Maryland five years ago.

“After witnessing how the Red Cross mobilized to provide disaster relief in my community I realized how impactful their work was,” he said. “I wanted to be part of an organization that not only responds in emergencies, but also empowers communities through preparedness and education.”

One moment stuck with him: helping a mother and child displaced by an apartment fire.

“We were there comforting, and supporting her at her time of need, and just offering them a warm blanket, a calm space and a listening ear made a visible difference in their demeanor,” he said. “It was a powerful reminder of how even small actions can provide comfort in moments of crisis.

“That experience solidified why I volunteer – it’s about being there when people need it most,” Blegen added. “Whether you’re handing out supplies, helping at a blood drive, or offering comfort during a crisis, your time and compassion truly matter.”

A legacy of service

Jennifer Thomas found her way to the Red Cross after losing her father – and thinking of her grandfather, a man devoted to service.

“I’m not even sure what exactly inspired me to take that first step, but I like to believe it was my dad nudging me in this direction,” she said. “Volunteering with the Red Cross has become a way for me to honor both him and my grandfather. I hope they’d be proud of the work I’m doing now.”

As a caseworker with the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Hero Care Network, she often speaks with people facing some of the worst days of their lives. On one call, a young woman had just lost her husband.

“She was devastated and inconsolable,” Thomas said. “But, before we ended the call, she paused and said something I’ll never forget: ‘Thank you. You make a difference.’”

“I think that was the first time it really sunk in – how much this work matters,” she said. “Even if I can’t fix what someone’s going through, just being there and showing up with compassion can mean the world to someone in that moment.”

“Sometimes, the most important impact we make comes from the quiet things – the moments we show up for someone, a few hours a week, behind the scenes, without fanfare,” Thomas said. “Volunteering with the Red Cross has reminded me that touching even one life, in a small way, really does matter.”

Join the Red Cross volunteer community

These five individuals exemplify the spirit of service that drives the American Red Cross.

If you’re inspired to make a difference, consider joining the Red Cross volunteer family.

Learn more and sign up at redcross.org/volunteer.