By Cristina Maisel

A lanyard hangs around Margaretta “Getty” Stewart’s neck, heavy with history. Each pin fastened to it tells a story of decades of dedication, milestones reached and lives touched through her 70 years of volunteer service with the American Red Cross.

“I’ve just collected these over the years,” Getty said, pointing to the pins. “There’s one for 40 years, 50 years, Armed Forces Emergency Services, a board giving award, 60 years.”

Getty’s story is one of balance – of weaving volunteer service into the fabric of everyday life. She raised two daughters, supported her husband’s business and still found time to show up for her community year after year.

Born and raised in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Getty’s volunteerism journey began in high school with the Junior League, which provided volunteers to other organizations. She was assigned to help with intake at the Red Cross bloodmobile, manually typing registration cards for donors. From there, her involvement deepened.

“I tell people, volunteerism gets in your blood,” Getty said. “Once you start, if you’ve had a good experience with it, you’re going to keep on wherever you can find it.”

One of Getty’s most impactful roles was with Service to Military Families, where she acted as a liaison between service members and their loved ones, facilitating emergency communications. At the time, there were numerous international conflicts, so Getty often didn’t know whether the calls were coming from Vietnam or elsewhere—she just knew families needed help.

“You were the go-between,” she explained. “If they needed paperwork, the serviceman could call his Red Cross person, and that Red Cross person would call this Red Cross person and you’d work out the problems. Do they have to come home? Do I notify them that their father died?”

Through the years, Getty also became involved on the board of directors for her local Red Cross chapter, advancing from committee member to vice chair to chair. In 1981, Getty was selected to travel the East Coast as part of the American Red Cross’s centennial celebration, speaking about the organization’s mission and encouraging support.

“Everything I have done as a Red Cross volunteer, I have wanted to do,” Getty said. “I liked it. I didn’t necessarily think I was going to make a career out of it, but that seems to be what it’s turned into.”

One of her most vivid memories came during Hurricane Agnes in 1972. As floodwaters approached, Getty was in her yard picking brussels sprouts when a college student walked across the field. “He said, ‘I’m a Red Cross volunteer; do you need any help?’” Getty joked, “Well, you’re going to have to wait until the flood is over,” but she was deeply moved. “I thought that the fact that they had recruited these kids to go out and do this, give me help—I thought that was really something.”

Even today, at age 89, Getty continues to serve. She attends health fairs and community outreach events, sharing her story and inspiring others to get involved.

“I would encourage anybody to volunteer,” Getty said. “There’s something within the Red Cross that is available that you can do.”

In September, Getty was presented with the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania Challenge Coin by regional CEO Jorge Martinez, in recognition of her 70 years of dedicated service. Challenge coins have been a military tradition for nearly a century, awarded to recognize outstanding service and appreciation of excellence in performance of duty.

For Getty, volunteerism was never about the awards or recognition.

“You’re feeling useful,” she said. “Nobody else took that spot, so you took it. Even if you’re just writing names on paper, somebody has to do it, so it might as well be you.”

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the American Red Cross, making up 90% of our workforce. Getty reminds us that there is a role for everyone – you just need a willingness to show up.

You don’t need decades to make a difference. Start your own journey of purpose today. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to explore roles and find one that’s right for you.