“[Volunteering] has been a very rewarding experience for me.”

Julie Street has been with the Red Cross for nearly thirty-two years, having started out in water safety, lifeguarding, and teaching young children about water safety and first aid. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Julie then moved to Battle Mountain, Nevada when she was twelve years old before eventually settling in Winnemucca.

She started volunteering with us after going out on a fire call with a good friend who was the only Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) member in her area. After that first experience, she was hooked! Julie decided to persue helping others affected by disaster.

She now manages the office in Winnemucca in addition to teaching CPR and first aid. Between going out to schools and instructing students, she also responds to disaster calls and sets up shelters for those who are victims of large scale disasters.  

Before COVID-19 she worked a lot in the community, but with new safety precautions in place, all work has to be done virtually or from home. 

Julie explains, “For the last 30 years I taught water safety and first aid.  Prior to COVID-19, I was busy with the, ‘Sound the Alarm' campaign. I would also go out to local residents' homes to install smoke detectors. I started this year with the ‘Pillowcase’ and ‘Pedro the Penguin' campaigns with the local schools for elementary school-aged children, teaching them fire safety and emergency preparedness. I also taught first aid and CPR to high school students. The children love the Pillowcase Project-- it is one of their favorite things. They get so excited! I’m happy that we were able to do a couple of the ‘Pedro the Penguin’ courses before COVID stopped everything.” 

For Julie, working with the Red Cross has developed into a family relationship. As she continues to work closely with others in the office, within the field, and out with other volunteers doing campaigns, Street recognizes a special bond that has developed between them.

Julie feels the perfect person to come and volunteer with the Red Cross should be friendly, willing to help, and willing to learn. She would love to see younger people involved. Julie is also proud that a student was able to save a life using the first aid that she taught in one of her classes.

To become a volunteer with the American Red Cross, please click here.