By Barbara Fischer

American Red Cross volunteer Carol Eroh is 80 years old and shows no signs of waning dedication to the mission. She began volunteering in 2011 and has served in multiple roles, including disaster response, installing smoke alarms and supporting blood drives.

“I like all of the areas of service,” Carol said. “It is a humanitarian organization and I like serving people. All of the areas are important and they all save lives.”

Her Red Cross journey began after retiring from a 22-year career at a coffee shop. A few months later, Hurricane Irene struck, causing damage across central and eastern Pennsylvania. When Carol heard the Red Cross was accepting donations nearby, she gathered supplies and set out to help.

“I didn’t know where I was going,” Carol recalled. “I happened to see some Red Cross vehicles as I was nearing the area where I thought the Red Cross building was and decided to follow them.”

Those vehicles led her to the local operations center in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. After dropping off donations, Carol asked the receptionist what else she could do. She was given a tour and was impressed with what she saw. They invited her to join an emergency response vehicle team, serving coffee and comfort at disaster sites – a role that fit perfectly with her experience.

Outside of volunteering, Carol has led a full life. She and her late husband, a military veteran and minister, traveled to all 48 contiguous states during their 52 years of marriage. Together, they raised five children and now have 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Carol’s commitment to service extends beyond the Red Cross. She is active with the American Legion Auxiliary and the Lehighton Lions Club, where she helped establish annual blood drives with both organizations.

“I realized they had all of the necessary things for hosting a blood drive,” she said.

These days, Carol primarily volunteers as a Blood Donor Ambassador near her home in Weatherly, Pennsylvania. In this role, she registers blood donors, offering hospitality and ensuring they are comfortable through the blood donation process.

Carol is living proof that there is a place for everyone at the Red Cross, no matter your age or experience, if you have the desire to serve. Begin your volunteering journey today at redcross.org/volunteer.