July 21, 2025

By: Karen Garcia, volunteer writer

Marty Vaughn has been a selfless embodiment of hope to those impacted by disasters for the past 61 years, offering nearly a lifetime of volunteer work with the American Red Cross. She is seen by her peers as someone who will give her all to anyone in need. As a matter of fact, this interview was conducted while she was on her way to the food bank to help those in need in her community.

Marty’s path started when she became a safety training instructor in Shreveport at the YWCA while she attended Centenary College. After her freshman year at Centenary, she served as a counselor at YWCA Camp Burgiss Glen in North Carolina as well as the Shreveport YWCA Camp. She later began taking a CPR course and progressed to take the disaster training course, where she responded to various disasters in her area. Marty then became an instructor in First Aid, CPR, Early Childhood Education and an instructor trainer in HIV Aids Education. The time she put into aiding others allowed her to become an instructor with the Greenville, South Carolina, American Red Cross Chapter for 25 years, where she became a board member as well as volunteer chairperson. Her journey with the American Red Cross is nothing short of triumphant as she has volunteered as a swim instructor, responded to disasters and more, expecting no personal gain or financial compensation, showing her heart of gold and commitment to voluntary service.

Marty later became camp director at YWCA Camp Burgiss Glen, where Red Cross Swimming classes were taught during the 8 weeks the camp operated throughout the summer. Her next job was serving as Executive Director with the Greenville YWCA, where indoor swimming lessons were taught. After her mother's death, she returned to Texas to help with the family business for a while, then returned to South Carolina, where she worked with Alston's Wilkes Society. This organization is a halfway house program that works with offenders referred by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, State Department Corrections and State/Federal Probation officers. She was hired here as the Assistant Director, and later that year, she was asked to serve as Director. The duty staff at this organization were required to obtain a certification in Red Cross First Aid, so the American Red Cross programs truly benefited the agency she worked with.

Marty’s experience in various areas of the Red Cross has supported multiple departments, including the volunteer fire department in River Falls, South Carolina, where she jumped in to help with services such as searches, local disasters, floods and even fires. She also served as a Fire Commissioner and the Safety Officer. She later became a certified Emergency Medical Technician, and when she moved to Texas, she became a volunteer with the Waskom Volunteer Fire Department, also serving as a Safety Officer for several years.

“The American Red Cross was there with doughnuts and coffee,” said Marty as she shared one of her experiences as a volunteer. This experience revolved around a young boy who was lost in the mountains and was found with open arms and food served by those helping in the search. The compassion and friendliness of volunteers such as Marty in the face of struggle is nothing short of amazing.

She is truly an inspiration as she shows that there are various positions throughout our nation to help other humans. Marty claims that “The humanitarian, impartiality and neutrality values of the American Red Cross led me to go into places where I work with many different types of people, and it’s a joy to be of service.” Marty became a member of the South Carolina CISM Team and later became involved with the East Texas CISM Team. She also received training for critical incident stress debriefing, which led her to respond to two national events, including the Lucasville Prison Riot, where she learned how to handle high-pressure situations. 

Marty works with people of all ages and races, and even mentions the Navajo Indian Reservation, which is in a rural area, and the importance of having volunteers from those communities to help their neighbors. She mentions, “Helping neighbors is what the American Red Cross is, even if the neighbor isn't the same skin color, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status or education.” The American Red Cross holds a humanitarian universality across the globe, and she is glad to be a part of it.  

Marty Vaughn has impacted the lives of countless individuals, and she truly holds a special place in everyone's heart as she is the embodiment of a selfless and generous volunteer. Her sixty-one years of service were impactful to others as well as herself. Her legacy will continue to flourish as she continues to volunteer and serve as a mentor to everyone.

Various organizations, such as police departments and her church, have recognized and thanked her for her generosity and willingness to help in any situation. She is a part of the Waskom First United Methodist Church as well as a past Lay Leader. She later became a member of the Texas Annual Conference, which allowed her to go on various mission trips to observe the ZOE project in Kenya, an organization that works with orphans to provide empowerment, hope, and training for those left alone. She also had the opportunity to visit Côte d’Ivoire to assist with the distribution of treated mosquito nets which prevented the spread of malaria. Nonetheless, Marty’s aid is not stopped by borders or boundaries, as she shows that anything can be accomplished through hard work and dedication.  

Marty is currently a member of the North Louisiana chapter of the American Red Cross. She decided to take the step to become a board member on July 1st, 2024, and became a Tiffany Circle member through the South Carolina Chapter of the Red Cross. As a Tiffany Circle member, she works to unite women to become highly involved in the Red Cross so they can help people in times of emergency. Marty and these extraordinary women are compassionate and empowered individuals who dedicate themselves to learning skills that can save and change lives. She also serves as a Trustee at Centenary College, a member of the Waskom Lions Club, and the Harrison County Historical Commission. Marty Vaughn has a truly remarkable story that shows how she uses her time, skills, and experiences to be a volunteer for the American Red Cross.

Just like Marty, you too can become a spark of hope that symbolizes love and compassion in difficult situations. Volunteer and become the embodiment of hope that makes a difference not just in your community but in the nation.