Written by Pete Suarez, American Red Cross Public Affairs

Have you ever wondered how some organizations manage to do all they do? The answer is volunteers. They’re the ones who get up in the middle of the night, show up during emergencies, regardless of weather, track down the right contacts and resources, and share vital information and referrals, all in the name of helping others.

Those volunteers, along with partner institutions and donors are the backbone of the American Red Cross.

Recently, we visited the Miami Veterans Administration Hospital with Jeff Wheatley, one of those quiet, dedicated and committed volunteers. He’s the kind of person who makes sure things not only work but work right.

Jeff, a U.S. Army veteran, hasn’t stopped serving. He runs the volunteer office of the Red Cross within the Miami VA facility. To top it all off, he is working on his bachelor’s degree in nursing. Service is in his DNA.

Everyone is familiar with the images of nurses tending to survivors on a battlefield or in a field hospital, holding IV bags, changing bandages, or holding someone’s hand to ease their loneliness. Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, was one of those nurses during the Civil War. Her legacy is alive and well and lives on in people like Jeff.

At the Miami VA, volunteers like Jeff perform tasks that might seem trivial to some, but for others, those tidbits of help are indispensable when it comes to providing comfort to our veterans.

Supporting veteran hospitals is one aspect of how the Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) department helps active-duty service members, veterans and their families. Additionally, SAF fulfills needs ranging from emergency communications to access to financial assistance, information and referral services. At the Miami VA, Jeff runs a weekly coffee station where visitors can get a free cup of coffee while waiting for their appointments. In Broward, SAF volunteers host a Bingo night, and in Palm Beach, SAF sponsors an ice cream cart for veterans.

Catching up with Jeff at the VA, he offered a tour of the immense Miami facility, which sponsors several clinics in Monroe, Dade and Broward counties that serve our unsung heroes.

One highlight of the tour was visiting the greenhouse, where several veterans tended to plants using tools and supplies provided by the Red Cross.

Whatever the challenge, 24/7, the Red Cross is there for past, present and future military members and their families.

If you are a veteran in need of assistance, you can reach the Hero Care Center at 877-272-7337. But if you’re looking for a way to give back, consider joining Jeff and his volunteer team. They go above and beyond the call of duty every single day.

Visit redcross.org/SFLvolunteer to sign up today and you, too, can become a hero helping heroes in your own right.