By Cass Bonfiglio
American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region Volunteer

A dedicated group of American Red Cross volunteers in Northern Nevada quietly works to support their community in important ways. They respond to emergencies, teach fire safety, and help families prepare for disasters. Among these essential efforts is the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program, a longstanding initiative with deep historical ties, offering crucial support to veterans, active-duty military members and their families.

For more than 140 years, the Red Cross has supported U.S. military personnel and their families, a connection forged on Civil War battlefields when Clara Barton, the organization’s founder, carried letters to soldiers’ loved ones. “The American Red Cross was born on the battlefield,” said Dee Dodwell, Director of the SAF for the Utah/Nevada Region. “Clara Barton wrote messages from Civil War soldiers to their families.” Since then, the Red Cross has deployed alongside the military in every U.S. conflict, offering emotional support.

Dodwell emphasized the importance of expanding the reach of the SAF program in Northern Nevada to better address the needs of military members and their families. “We need to strengthen our footprint in northern Nevada,” she explained. A critical shortage of volunteers threatens to limit their impact, and Dee is determined to change that. “We are seeking to engage current volunteers and recruit community members to support the needs of our Military and Veterans within communities throughout Northern Nevada.”

A Helping Hand for Healing
Among the SAF’s diverse offerings, two programs are particularly in need of volunteers: Recreational Therapy Support and Wellness Workshops. Both programs provide a creative outlet and much-needed emotional support for veterans at facilities like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Westcare.

The Recreational Therapy program allows volunteers to assist VA therapists with setting up craft activities and participating alongside veterans. “The time commitment is incredibly flexible,” Dodwell noted, emphasizing that volunteers can participate as their schedules allow.

Monthly Wellness Workshops, on the other hand, serve veterans residing in care facilities. These classes, facilitated by a licensed mental health professional, focus on holistic health and well-being. Volunteers play a key role in supporting these sessions, offering extra hands for setting up crafts and other activities — while also providing a friendly presence for participants. Volunteers are needed Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. for activities at Westcare and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the VA Community Living Center.

The impact of volunteering might be as simple as sharing a smile or handing a veteran a paintbrush, but the rewards are immeasurable. “Sometimes, we just sit and listen,” Dodwell said. SAF also organizes monthly visits to the VA, giving volunteers the chance to distribute hygiene kits and small comforts to veterans. Though the items may seem modest, the sense of community the interaction fosters is priceless.

Virtual Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are also needed to fill virtual caseworker positions, a lifeline for military families facing unique challenges. The work begins with family follow-ups and expands to providing critical community services, connecting clients with resources to meet their needs.

“It’s a vital support system,” said Dodwell. “Last year, we handled 2,400 cases with just four caseworkers.” Volunteers typically commit two to three hours a week, and all training is provided online, with SAF staff offering support every step of the way.

Dodwell’s passion for this aspect of the program comes from her own experience as both a military member and spouse. “I have a deep understanding and empathy for military spouses because I’ve lived that life myself,” she said, describing her 26 years of service and her husband’s 24. She recalls how overwhelming it could be when navigating deployments and emergencies without a clear support system. “The Red Cross offers support and compassion, even in situations where we can’t directly provide assistance,” she added. That blend of compassion and follow-through resonates deeply with the families they serve. “One of the moments I treasure most is when someone says, ‘We reached out to so many others, but you’re the one who got back to us.’”

A Global Mission with Local Needs
The Red Cross supports military personnel globally, but the demand for volunteers in Northern Nevada is particularly urgent. Whether it’s helping families navigate challenges, assisting with wellness activities, or simply being a source of comfort, each volunteer plays a vital role in ensuring military families feel cared for and supported. The Red Cross of Northern Nevada SAF Team emphasize that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to the enduring mission of showing up for those who serve and their loved ones.

To learn more about how SAF supports veterans, active-duty military members and their families and caregivers or volunteer, go to redcross.org/SAF.

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.