When Kristie Eggebroten began volunteering with the American Red Cross Hero Care Network in 2023, she was simply looking for another way to give back. Already active in the VFW Auxiliary in Eureka, Mont., and deeply connected to the veteran community, the idea of helping military families during moments of crisis immediately resonated with her.

“I really liked the idea of the emergency communication,” she said.

Kristie’s husband served in the reserves, and she quickly discovered how vital Hero Care services were for families separated by deployment. What surprised her most was the depth of gratitude she encountered.

“Without exception, everybody was just so thankful and appreciative of us stepping in to help them connect with their relatives who may have been deployed,” she said. “It really moved me.”

Finding purpose in emergency communications

Over her time with the program, Kristie handled a mix of client care services, emergency communications and financial assistance cases. But one area stood out.

“I really enjoyed the emergency communications,” she said. “You’re dealing with folks who have a two‑sided issue — an emergency at home, and the distance between family members who want to be together during that time of need. It felt like we were serving an important link because they don’t have another way to get a hold of those service members.”

One case in particular has stayed with her. A man who had just lost his wife was trying to reach his child overseas.

“It didn’t sound like he had a lot of folks to talk to,” Kristie remembered. “We spent probably an hour on the phone, mostly listening to him tell me about his wife and his kids and his family. That connection was important for him at that time.”

Even years later, she still carries that moment with her.

Learning the work — and the people

Hero Care was Kristie’s first introduction to Red Cross client services, and she quickly learned how much it meant for people simply to feel supported.

“Just having somebody on their side, ready to help them as they work through whatever challenge they’re going through — that’s what mattered,” she said.

In that way, she found parallels with her disaster response work with the Red Cross, and the experience also reshaped her understanding of military family life.

“I didn’t understand how disconnected they can be when a family member’s overseas,” she said. “They can’t just pick up the phone and say ‘Hello.’ Once they leave —especially if it’s something sensitive — they’re just gone until they come back or reach out. That would be super hard on a family.”

A broader Red Cross journey

Hero Care is just one part of Kristie’s extensive Red Cross service. She is a disaster responder and duty officer, works with other volunteers on training and deployment, supports shelter management and holds more than a dozen other roles. She has deployed nationally multiple times and originally began her Red Cross journey back in the 1980s, before returning in 2023.

“I’ve really loved the experience,” she said. “I love our region and all the folks in it.”