Mimi Teller/American Red Cross

The Alarcon family’s American Red Cross journey began with a near miss that reshaped their lives. Years ago, matriarch Reziel survived a devastating car crash that left her paralyzed for two weeks and years of rehabilitation. As she healed, one question stayed with her: If I am given a second chance, how am I meant to use it?

For Reziel, the path forward quickly became clear. She and her husband, Noel, began volunteering with the Hawaiʻi Red Cross chapter, always with their children beside them.

This Red Cross Month, we are recognizing the multigenerational volunteer force that strengthens communities across the Pacific Islands Region. Volunteers of all ages, from Gen Z youth leaders to longs erving members of the Silent Generation, play essential roles in preparedness education, disaster response, support for military families and community resilience. 

Across Hawaiʻi, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, people continue to step forward at every stage of life, creating a diverse network of service that spans generations. The Alarcons are one example of the many volunteers who bring this commitment to life.

Kylie’s Story

Kylie remembers her mother wanting the family to volunteer together when she was 13, hoping her kids would step outside their comfort zones and learn the value of supporting their community. Inspired by the “real life heroes” she saw serving around her, Kylie soon wanted to follow in her parents’ footsteps.

As a young teen, she often found herself as the youngest participant in youth activities, surrounded by high schoolers who quickly became role models. “They motivated me,” she said. “I wanted to be like them; to give back and really do something meaningful.”

Her first volunteer experience were beach and park cleanups, picking up trash alongside her family. From there, she joined the Hawaiʻi Chapter Red Cross Club for youth volunteers and eventually became president.

As a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, she founded the Red Cross Youth Club on campus, serving as president for three years before becoming the club’s adviser. Now 23, Kylie will graduate this spring with her master’s degree in education as she prepares for a career in higher education advising.

One of her most meaningful moments came when she and her family taught safety preparedness, Prepare with Pedro and Hands-Only CPR, to a class of nearly two dozen elementary students, none of whom had ever learned these skills before.

Caleb’s Story

Kylie’s brother, Caleb, 17, shares many of those early memories, especially the beach cleanups that first introduced him to service. Around age 11, he began to understand what volunteering meant and the impact he could make.

As he grew, so did his role. Today, he serves as president of the Hawaiʻi Chapter Red Cross Club for youth, just as his sister once did. The club’s members actively participate in community outreach, including installing smoke alarms, leading preparedness lessons and teaching life-saving skills. 

One moment stands out for him: teaching students HandsOnly CPR for the first time.

“It felt really good,” Caleb said. “I thought of them like a blank canvas, and I appreciated getting the chance to fill that canvas with something that could save a life.” That sense of responsibility motivates him to keep serving.

Volunteering as a Family

Volunteering continues to shape each of them. Their community affectionately knows them as “The Family,” a reflection of how often they show up together.

“Mom calls it ‘a family affair,’ and that’s exactly what it feels like,” Kylie said. “Giving back together brings us closer. We get to teach side by side, and we learn from the communities we meet.”

As a team, the Alarcons are often seen teaching lifesaving skills, installing smoke alarms and collecting personal hygiene items to support military members through the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces. At the 2025 Volunteer Recognition event, Kylie and Caleb even performed together, playing ukulele, percussion and singing.

For the Alarcons, volunteering across generations is a way of life. With more than a decade of service behind them, they encourage other families to join in: bring your loved ones, make it fun and make it your own.

This Red Cross Month, the Alarcon family invites you to give your time or a monetary donation to help someone through their hardest day. Visit redcross.org/pacificislands for more information.

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.