April is National Volunteer Month! It’s a time to recognize the important work our volunteers do every day for their communities, large and small.

These everyday heroes work in diverse settings, communities and cultures, and each has a personal calling that motivates their mission of turning empathy into action.

They’re individuals like Maria Sugg, who serves as an integral part of her community in Valley County.

“I have always been an individual to help people in whatever way I can,” she wrote.

The eastern Montana resident has been a disaster services volunteer since 2022. She became involved after watching how the Red Cross was helping Florida communities destroyed by floods.

“Seeing and hearing about the devastation of the community broke my heart,” she said. “Therefore I had decided to assist in any way I could.”

A willingness to serve others at a moment’s notice was nothing new to Maria. To start, she’d been a part of her area’s search-and-rescue team for three years and had completed an EMR course (equivalent to an EMT) in Phillips County.

“It is great knowledge to have in the field,” she wrote. “In case an emergency occurs, I learned how to use a tourniquet and administer CPR.”

She also became a volunteer firefighter with the St. Marie Fire Department.

“During the last three years with the fire department, I have taken courses offered to achieve my goals,” she wrote. “I am passionate about my skills, talent and experience to help fight fires.”

Her insights into preparedness and prevention became increasingly well-rounded with each new opportunity to serve others, and her learning gained even more layers upon joining the Red Cross family.

“(I) have taken trauma, leadership, disaster relief and recovery courses,” she wrote.

It’s not just Maria’s knowledge that makes her an invaluable volunteer; it’s her mindset around what it takes to keep regions without high populations, including Valley County, resilient.

“It is very important to volunteer in rural areas because we don't have the resources like in bigger cities,” she wrote. “We all have families that may need our help. We need to stick together -- it helps our community become stronger.”

While volunteers shoulder much of the weight that comes with protecting these livelihoods, Maria has done some pretty heavy lifting.

“I have been a part of a mitigation project in our area for the last four years mitigating the Fort Peck Pines area,” she wrote. “I have also organized donations for communities that were struck by fires.”

Maria believes it’s volunteers in emergency services that make all the difference through mutual missions of selfless service to others.

“As a firefighter I would like Red Cross volunteers to know we are very similar in our trade and skills,” she wrote. “I admire Red Cross members for their time, efforts, dedication, and most of all, compassion for others.”

No matter what your experience or knowledge is, the Red Cross has a volunteer role for you! Learn more about ways you can make a difference by going to red cross.org/volunteer.