By Jake Bruder, Communications Volunteer

Stephanie Kelly was serving in the U.S. Army when she began looking for something meaningful to fill her free time. That’s when she heard the familiar voice of her grandmother in her head, reminding her of the importance of service to others.

“So, I asked my NCO (noncommissioned officer) what I could do to fill the time,” Kelly recalled.

That simple question marked the start of a decades-long journey with the American Red Cross and helping people in need.

In the early 1990s, Kelly started as a Red Cross volunteer in the emergency room of a military hospital. Her responsibilities included helping patients check in, answering phones and offering a comforting presence. She learned people needed compassion and friendly interaction.

Kelly found the work rewarding, “It stayed in my mind. Even though people were sick, they could still talk and I got to help and make it not so bad.”

What seemed like a small act at the time, offering a smile or kind word, made a lasting impact on patients and staff alike.

Kelly’s desire to give back continued to grow. She later volunteered as a Blood Donor Ambassador on a Red Cross mobile unit, educating the public about the importance of blood donations and the Rh factor, an inherited protein that can be found on the surface of red blood cells.

“I was like a tour guide,” she said. The role is one of her favorite Red Cross experiences; it would not be her last.

Today, Kelly serves as a Duty Officer, working behind the scenes to dispatch Disaster Action Teams (DAT) to help people in need, especially after home fires. It’s a role that demands quick thinking, being calm under pressure and showing compassion.

“You’ve got to think of the right words to say and let them know we just want to help,” Kelly said. “And I love helping people. With the Red Cross, you can really see how effective your help is.”

Kelly says a large part of what sets the Red Cross apart is not just its mission, but its people. In her roles with the organization, she’s had supportive, caring leaders and friends who go above and beyond. She says everyone is there to help others and wants to make things better for people experiencing hardship.

One day Kelly found herself unexpectedly on the receiving end of that care and knows the power of a compassionate Red Crosser. A caring supervisor noticed she was out sick and called to check on her.

“I had a supervisor, Michelle, who was a boss that saved my life. She told me to go to the emergency room and I went. I ended up having appendicitis,” Kelly said.

Reflecting on that story, Kelly said the power of small deeds and their ability to have big impact, aka the butterfly effect, has had a tremendous impact on her. “Those small interactions add up to change lives and make the difference for those in the middle of challenging situations. And with the Red Cross, there are countless ways to help and volunteer. The Red Cross is the place to be,” she said.

Volunteers make up around 90% of the Red Cross workforce. People like Kelly are how the organization prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies. If you are interested in volunteering your time and talent to make a real difference in people's lives, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.