Written by Kateleen Quiles, American Red Cross Public Affairs

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating love – and the love of volunteering! This year, Denise and George Tarafa will celebrate 50 years of marriage. They are also devoted Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers with the Greater Miami and The Keys Chapter of the South Florida Red Cross.

“We got helped by the Red Cross during Hurricane Andrew,” said Denise Tarafa.

In August 1992, the couple was severely impacted by the Category 5 storm, one of the most devastating hurricanes to make landfall in the United States. The Red Cross provided them with beds, vouchers for clothing, and the support they needed to get back on their feet. Years later, they decided it was time to give back and signed up to volunteer together.  

The couple was inspired to volunteer because they wanted to give back to others what the Red Cross gave them in their time of need.

“It's your responsibility to get up and keep going, and that's what we try to do for the people. Give them strength to get up [because] all the help that the Red Cross gives on the financial side is good, but we also try to get them off the level that they're at– which is very low— and lift them up,” said George Tarafa.

As DAT volunteers, the Tarafas regularly respond to home fires and local disasters, but for Denise, one particular family she helped has always stuck with her. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans in 2005, many families relocated to Florida. Since the schools in New Orleans were also impacted, children's records were unavailable, making enrollment in Florida difficult. 

Denise worked with the Miami-Dade County School Board to get kids back into the classroom.

“It was not an easy task. We had to make many, many phone calls, but we were able to achieve that and that was a great feeling for me, and it was a great start for that family,” Denise recalled.

High school sweethearts, the Tarafas built their life together in Miami, raising two daughters. They now enjoy their role as grandparents. When volunteering together, their work styles complement each other.

“Usually, I'm the one that does all the inputting and George does all the talking and it works out good for us. It's complementary,” said Denise. 

George builds on this sentiment, “I have some talents that I can use that she's not so strong in– and then the end result is better, and it functions. Sort of as one unit with two individual points coming together.”

Their ability to volunteer together so successfully is a testament to their life-long bond. The couple shares advice for any couples out there. “Learn to forgive. If you do that, you'll succeed,” said George. 

Like many others, the Tarafas will celebrate this Valentine's Day with flowers, chocolate, and a nice dinner.

However, George believes that Valentine's Day should be celebrated and commemorated within the Red Cross. 

“The Red Cross should celebrate Valentine's Day more than a couple should because the Red Cross shows that they love the human race…the Red Cross is a Valentine's card for humanity," said George. 

On this day of love, grab your partner and sign up to become a volunteer today. Visit redcross.org/SFLvolunteer to learn more.