The Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) department of the American Red Cross provides 24/7 support services to veterans, military members and their families. This support includes global emergency communications services, financial support, information referral services and deployment services, to name a few.

Mike Germaine, a retired business owner, is a volunteer and the Regional Mass Care Lead for the South Florida Region of the Red Cross. Mike also serves as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) Supervisor and processes casework for the SAF department.

"It's a way of being thankful for the fact that I've been fortunate in life and wanting to pay that forward to other people," Mike said about his motivations to volunteer with the department.

In May 2018, Mike started volunteering at the Red Cross, and two years later, he joined the SAF department, where he continues to volunteer today. He said that in his day-to-day work, he answers calls from veterans and their family members regarding financial or social needs.

"It can be a whole variety of different problems that people call in with. We've had cases of people who are on the street and do not have enough to eat. We've had people who need help changing their disability status," Mike said.

Mike takes comfort in knowing that his volunteer work helps active-duty service members and veterans who put their lives on the line for the United States of America.

"It is a good feeling to know you've done something positive," he said. "There was a veteran who was homeless in Miami. He was very grateful to get the information that I gave him, and within two days, he was off the streets, he had a roof over his head, he had food to eat, and he was being counseled for addiction. It was one of the happy endings."

Mike says cases like that give him satisfaction and motivation to continue volunteering, even on his worst day. He urges others to consider volunteering with the Red Cross, particularly in the Service to the Armed Forces department, to help make a difference in the lives of veterans, military service members, and their families.

To those on the fence about volunteering, Mike says: "[Prospective volunteers] would not be doing this on their own; [SAF] will provide all the training at a pace that is appropriate for their learning styles. We would be grateful for their help."

Maureen Hruska is another volunteer who works alongside Mike in the Service to the Armed Forces department. She is trained to conduct family follow-up in emergency communications services and contact cards.

Maureen has been involved with the South Florida region of the Red Cross since 2018. However, she had worked with the organization previously in Northern Indiana when she was an insurance agent.

"I've always been very particular about doing work that helps veterans, and this works out perfectly for me because I can do it from home and put in a couple of hours a week," Maureen said.

Maureen follows up with the families of the service members to ensure their loved ones' leave requests from the military have been processed. Unfortunately, the cases she handles are often cases of illness or death, and being able to help families in their darkest hour is important to Maureen.

"It's the appreciation that the families have knowing that everything went through quickly, and we were able to facilitate the leave for their loved ones," said Maureen.

Maureen's husband was a veteran before his passing. Some of her brothers were veterans, and many of her family members were involved in the military. For the last couple of years, Maureen has been the lone caseworker doing follow-ups with families in emergency communications services.

"I just feel a responsibility to make sure that it is done because it is so important, particularly when they have not heard from a service member," Maureen said.

Maureen says that volunteering with SAF has helped her understand how integral the American Red Cross is in assisting military members and their families in times of emergencies with various support services.

"I see how much goes through it, and you think about the entire country. It is kind of impressive, really, that it all gets done," Maureen said.

Maureen finds it satisfying to help veterans, military service members, and their families. She encourages others to volunteer as it is convenient to do so from the comfort of your home, on your own time.

"One of the greatest parts of it is you can do it at your house, right off your own laptop... so it's something you can fit in your routine and schedule very easily and there is the satisfaction you get just knowing you've been able to help these families," Maureen said.

The Red Cross is always in need of dedicated volunteers like Mike and Maureen who give their time and talent to help others. Consider becoming a volunteer today by visiting redcross.org/SFLVolunteer.

If you want to learn more about how the Red Cross supports military members, veterans and their families, please visit redcross.org/SAF.

Written by Guethshina Altena, American Red Cross Public Affairs