With 2020 coming to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the year that none of us could have imagined. Thankfully, among the moments of fear and anxiety, we also found moments of kindness and hope. We asked a few of our dedicated volunteers to share thoughts or experiences with us. Here are just a few that inspired us, and we hope they may inspire others to become involved with the Red Cross.

Heather Anderson, Tampa Bay Chapter

"My favorite part of volunteering is delivering that message of hope," said Heather, a disaster relief  volunteer who deployed to Louisiana twice to help families recover from a relentless hurricane season.

Heather shared a moment this year that inspired her while she was on assignment. "A shelter resident came to the table where I was working and laid down two packages of New Orleans Saints face masks. He said he bought one for me and one for himself, so we could match in the shelter. That really warmed my heart!"

Kathy Burkett, Greater Orlando Chapter

Throughout the year, disaster volunteers like Kathy exemplified the mission of the Red Cross. In a changing world, she stepped up to help during the pandemic and a record-breaking hurricane season. Now, she’s on-call for disasters during the holidays.

"To see our mission delivery adapt to the changes due to COVID-19 was amazing to be a part of," Kathy said. "Throughout the entire (hurricane) season, getting to educate and help those in need was my focus - while deployed and at home."

Dave Lob, Tampa Bay Chapter

"As a Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer, it's so meaningful to me that our team is among the first on the scene of a local emergency, following the first responders," said Dave, a team leader.

Volunteers like Dave make it possible for the Red Cross to respond to an average of 60,000 emergencies across the country every year, most of them home fires. "Once the fire is out and safety is assured, Red Cross volunteers are the only responders present, at that pivotal moment, offering the victims empathy, help and hope."

Silvia Natal, Southwest Florida Chapter

Compassionate volunteers like Silvia are living examples of hope. Silvia deployed to Louisiana after Hurricane Laura to support casework, and while there, had the unexpected experience of facing Hurricane Delta.While the nonstop storms created a lot of ups & downs, Silvia and her team stayed positive and remembered why they were there.

“We realized that the most important thing was just being there, being present, making sure no one felt alone in this disaster,” she said. “Wearing a Red Cross vest or shirt brought hope to everyone who saw us. That was priceless and helped my team get through some difficult days.”

Rita Wyshinski, Space Coast Chapter

During the season of giving, we're inspired by volunteers like Rita who give the gift of their time. Rita spent two weeks this fall helping families displaced by massive wildfires in Northern California.

"I get a good feeling knowing that the Red Cross has trained me to educate others - in the face of destruction - that there are resources otherwise unknown to them," she said.

The need for volunteers is constant, and the safety of our workforce is our top priority as we work with public health officials to safely deliver services during COVID-19. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more, including our most-needed positions.

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