By Isabella Alemany

For over 140 years, the American Red Cross has relied on volunteers to support military members and their communities. Volunteers are an invaluable part of this organization, making up more than 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce. To celebrate Military Appreciation Month, the American Red Cross honored three volunteers, Carol Mills, Mary Wickham, and Barbara Schumacher who give so much to the West Point community.        

Carol Mills
Carol was presented with the Harriet Demarest Congeniality Award for her ability to make new volunteers and blood donors always feel comfortable in the canteen area. For the past four years, she has volunteered for multiple shifts at every blood drive. She is always ready with kind words for everyone.

Carol said, “We make sure the donors have something to eat and drink after they give blood. I like to meet and greet people. The community is so giving, and I just really wanted to be a part of that.” Carol’s extraordinary kindness is the result of seeing the positive impacts of each blood drive. She recalled a time where she witnessed the Red Cross save a child.

She said, “There was a young man whose child was in desperate need of a certain blood type. The Red Cross provided everything they needed to save that child’s life. That little boy now gives blood all the time as a thank you. Hearing these stories makes me feel that I am doing something real. I am not just a grandmother figure to these people. I am making them comfortable to come back.”

Carol’s welcoming demeanor encourages people to return and give blood. She helps create a steady stream of donors which saves lives.

Mary Wickham
Mary, who was given the Betty Rasmussen Service Above Self Award, started volunteering with the Red Cross at Keller Army Hospital in 2019 after retiring. “I work mostly in the inpatient pharmacy looking for outdated or expired medications and removing them from circulation,” she said. “I help make the best of things that need to be replaced.” She also performs blood draws on Cadet R-Day (R-Day or Reception Day, is the day when new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy and officially begin their cadet basic training.)

Mary demonstrates unwavering dedication to the American Red Cross and the West Point community. She is thankful to the Red Cross for celebrating her contribution.

She said, “It’s very important because it’s a validation from my community that volunteering is a worthwhile thing to do. It really means people recognize when you give something of yourself.”

Barbara Schumacher
Barbara shares the same sentiments. She said, “It gives me another purpose for my life. That means all my hard work just pays off and people appreciate it.” She received the Jean MacArthur Volunteer of the Year Award for her dedication to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. She serves West Point as a therapy dog handler for Hudson Valley Paws with a Cause.

Barbara and her dog Finnegan visit West Point Middle School and Highland Falls Library where students read to Finnegan to boost their confidence. They also attend blood drives to offer their support. “It’s amazing to see what therapy dogs can do, how much joy and comfort they can give, you know,” she said. “It really makes a difference in people’s lives.”

As we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, Carol’s, Mary’s, and Barbara's stories inspire us to recognize the incredible contributions of volunteers just like them. Red Cross volunteers are very important members of the community. Join them at redcross.org/volunteer.