Written by Duhane Lindo

For Michael Blain, service has never been just a responsibility—it’s been a way of life.

His volunteer journey began in the 1990s during his time in the Navy, and helping others has remained a constant ever since. Over the past three years with the American Red Cross, Michael has taken on a variety of roles, including Disaster Cycle Services trainer, Disaster Action Team responder, Emergency Response Vehicle operator, shelter worker, feeding volunteer and Service to the Armed Forces volunteer.

While each role offers an opportunity to make a difference, Michael says training is where he finds the greatest fulfillment.

“I got involved in training with the Navy back in ’82, and I’ve been involved in one way or another ever since,” he said. “I love training, so I teach International Humanitarian Law classes, and I also teach a lot of the local disaster classes, like disaster preparedness.”

No two days of volunteer service look the same for Michael. One day he may be helping a family recover after a home fire. The next, he could be sharing a cup of coffee with a veteran at a VA clinic or teaching a class on ethics during wartime. No matter the task, he knows he is meeting a need in his community.

“You can see it in their eyes that you gave them something that meant something to them,” he said. “Whether it’s big or small, it’s something they needed, they appreciated, and it touched them. That’s what I get the most out of it.”

For Michael, the most rewarding part of volunteering is knowing he has made a meaningful impact on someone’s life.

“You really are fulfilling a true need in somebody’s life,” he said. “Whether it’s giving them companionship, something physical they need, or just talking to them and letting them know that somebody cares about them.”

When encouraging others to volunteer, Michael emphasizes that there is a place for everyone at the Red Cross, regardless of their background, experience or interests.

“No matter what they’d like to do, what their expertise, their specialty, or just what they feel best doing, the Red Cross has a place for that skill, or that desire, or that joy,” he said.

For Michael, volunteering is more than giving back—it’s a lifelong commitment to serving others, one person at a time.