By Alana Mauger

Like many American Red Cross volunteers, Gail Bube started her service as a blood donor. One day, she struck up a conversation with a friendly Blood Donor Ambassador who was volunteering at the drive where Gail was about to donate.

At the time, Gail was a few years from retirement, but she remembers thinking it would be an interesting volunteer opportunity to explore. So when retirement came, she signed up and hasn’t looked back since!Gail volunteers every Thursday at the West Chester Blood Donation Center, where Red Cross phlebotomists collect whole blood, Power Red donations, platelets and plasma.

“I just love being part of the Red Cross and love being at the donor center! It’s so full of kind people and good donors,” she shared.

Gail says the center is “like a little family” since many of the platelet donors return regularly and the staff remains pretty much the same.

“You go in and it’s like you’re walking into your own house,” she said. “It’s just so fun to be in one place, to be yourself and get to know all these people really well.”

In her first year, Gail logged over 300 volunteer hours, earning her a Biomedical Volunteer of the Year Award for Chester County. During the award presentation, Gail was commended for her “friendly disposition and excellent customer service, which makes donors feel welcomed and valued.”

“I’m so glad that I found this opportunity,” she said, noting that her favorite part about volunteering is “being with people and doing some good.”

The Red Cross isn’t the only organization that benefits from Gail’s enthusiastic service. She also volunteers every Tuesday in the library of her grandkids’ school, and she helps maintain the food gardens with the Chester County Food Bank.

Of course, she also continues to donate blood herself nearly every 56 days.

By Terri Seydel

Ten years ago, Jayne Cabnet was searching for ways to make acquaintances and create ties to a new community when she relocated to Pennsylvania. Today, she’s searching for people for an entirely different and very important reason!

As she settled into her new community, Jayne decided that volunteering would be a positive way to meet people with similar interests and joined the Red Cross as a Disaster Action Team case worker. This work allows her to partner with other volunteers to connect local disaster victims with basic needs such as housing, food, and emotional health services. Even though most of this work is done over the phone, she has made many lasting connections with people she meets through the Red Cross.

Over time, Jayne became interested in natural disaster recovery as she watched the Red Cross respond and help people across the United States. She learned of the Red Cross Reunification service that reunites missing victims with their loved ones after major disasters and enlisted to join that team of volunteers.

Reunification volunteers are deployed virtually, working from unaffected areas to ensure they have uninterrupted power, internet, and phone service to perform their searches. This team uses critical thinking and detective-like skills with the clues provided by family members or close friends of missing people.

In 2022 Jayne was virtually deployed as a reunification volunteer for disasters in California, Kentucky, Florida, and Pittsburgh and is now serving as a Mass Care Reunification Supervisor. Jayne and her teammates work in 12 hours shifts during these deployments, gathering information and searching for missing people. They use personal details such as place of employment, hobbies, and religious or volunteer affiliations as clues to where a person might go to seek refuge during a disaster. 

Recently, Jayne helped reunite a young coffee shop employee with her family after a severe flood. Using Google Maps research to look for likely shelters, Jayne noticed a police station near the coffee shop.  She called the station and verified the missing woman was indeed there seeking refuge. This story shows how Red Cross volunteers often partner with other rescue teams and first responders to help communities recover from disasters.

A decade of volunteering has made a significant impact on Jayne’s life. She began her volunteer journey hoping to make new connections and do some good within her new community. All these years later, she’s now connecting with other communities and helping people across the country.

By Jenny Farley

“We meet people on the worst day of their life.”

As a Red Cross volunteer, Danelle Connolly has spent the past thirteen years helping people recover from a lot of worst days.

Danelle deployed at least ten times in the United States as part of the Disaster Action Team and the International Care Condolence Team. After Hurricane Maria killed thousands of people, she spent three months in Puerto Rico helping families endure the grief of losing loved ones and attempt to rebuild their lives.

Danelle has used her professional skills and talents as a bilingual psychologist and social worker to help people start over after they have lost everything, including hope.

“Isn’t that really the human spirit? When you have put yourself in that position to see people thriving even though they should give up – that’s the basis of life. That’s survival,” she said.

Seeing the aftermath of something horrible and watching survivors triumph has profoundly impacted Danelle.

“I’m so grateful that my life includes people sharing their deepest moments with me.”

Being part of the Disaster Action Team is an “amazing thing to watch,” according to Danelle and it has led to deep bonds within the Red Cross.

“I wouldn’t meet people like this in my own little world if I didn’t do this. A lot of us have incredible friendships because of the work we do.”

Now, at 76 years old, she enjoys mentoring new volunteers.

“You get somebody to volunteer – they are just amazing people. They come from all walks of life and they do it with joy.”

During Women’s History month, Danelle reflected on being a woman who has great passion for the opportunities the Red Cross has provided.

“When I found the Red Cross, I found myself. I found out what I really loved and what I loved was really raw. Raw emotional experience. The ability to actually feel the desperation but come out of the other end with hope. I think that the Red Cross life is reaffirming.”

Danelle loves to travel throughout the world with her sister and enjoys yoga and swimming. Her time with the Red Cross has left her with humble gratitude for her own life.

“The reason you do it is because you can. You can give to others. When push comes to shove, you’re getting more.”

By Terri Seydel

Life experience can very often spark an interest in volunteer work. Shawn Curnew is a great example of how people can apply their life experiences, interests, and passions to help others.

Shawn’s early career as a Marine, including a re-enlistment after 9-11, has given him valuable first-hand knowledge of the needs of active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Since becoming a Veteran, he’s been intentional about finding ways to continue serving his country and community.

He initially started volunteering with the Travis Manion Foundation, an organization that strives to support and empower veterans and families of the fallen. The alliance with that foundation opened many opportunities for Shawn to partner with other humanitarian organizations, such as the Wounded Warrior Project and the American Red Cross.

It was through this network of humanitarian organizations that Shawn Curnew responded to the call for military veterans to help with the intake and care of Afghanistan refugees as they began arriving at U.S. Army bases in 2022. He deployed as a Red Cross volunteer and worked alongside other volunteers and translators for two weeks at Fort McCoy Army Base in Wisconsin to provide basic necessities and supplies to the refugees.

Shawn describes this deployment as ‘an amazing experience’ and has many memories of his interactions with the refugees. One special memory was when he witnessed a heartwarming reunion between an Afghanistan mother and her young daughter. They had been separated during their evacuation from Afghanistan, and neither knew if the other had made it out of the country alive.

Back at home, he also volunteers as a firefighter and an EMT in his local community. But his experience working with the Red Cross helping refugees left such an impression on Shawn that he decided to continue his work with the Red Cross as a Service to the Armed Forces volunteer. In this role, he educates and connects active service personnel and veterans to the many services available to them and their families.

According to Shawn, “it’s a great feeling to serve something bigger than yourself.”

By Judith Weeks

Transportation Specialist Bob Duaime has been delivering blood for the American Red Cross for 40 years!  “Blood is in my Blood” he proudly exclaims!

I wanted to learn more about what these dedicated drivers do and Bob invited me to join him on his run. I arrived at the loading dock at the American Red Cross Hub in Philadelphia and met Bob who was loading two large boxes containing platelets into a Red Cross Van. Today’s trip was from Philadelphia to St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading then on to the Hershey Medical Center, then back to Philadelphia. All in one day we traveled 210 miles in a little over 4 hours, one of the longer routes. Bob or another volunteer makes this trip every week.

As we headed out from Philadelphia, I asked “how did you become involved with the Red Cross.”  He told me, in the 60’s his father regularly donated blood and it “stuck with him”.  His father’s employer gave employees time off to donate blood and donor’s families could receive blood when needed.

Our first stop was St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading. Bob parked the van and loaded one box of platelets onto the hand truck and wheeled it to the Blood Bank. Cheerfully greeted by the supervisor, the units of platelets were logged in and placed in the storage refrigerator.

Leaving St. Joseph Medical Center, Bob drove through beautiful farming country on the back highways to Hershey Medical Center. He delivered the box of platelets to the Blood Bank, logged in the delivery, picked up empty boxes and we returned to Philadelphia. A very pleasant trip!

Bob has delivered blood from Newark New Jersey to Newark Delaware, and from Hershey Pennsylvania to the eastern shore of New Jersey. For Bob, “representing American Red Cross Blood Services, I feel so appreciated when making a delivery”. He enjoys driving and visiting all the locations and hospitals. Most of his volunteer time is completed in solitary settings. Satisfaction is unique because he works by himself, “under the radar.”

Bob is remarkable because he volunteers for many organizations! He is a retired math teacher, tutoring high school students and teaching math at Bensalem’s Holy Ghost Prep School. Among his many activities, he is proud to have been a founder of an overnight camping program for children at risk. Bob, one of nine children, was raised in Northeast Philadelphia in a traditionally sized one- and one-half bath, three bedroom Philadelphia house!

By Judith Weeks

Blood Donor Ambassador Kathleen Dykers “loves just connecting with the donors at Red Cross Blood Drives. It is such a wonderful experience. Many just want to talk, others come in and they are business-like, and others are nervous and need to be talked to. This is why I keep coming back.”

She volunteered for the American Red Cross in 2020, at the early stage of the COVID pandemic. Kathleen was attracted to Biomedical Services and volunteered to be a Blood Donor Ambassador. Her career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist gave perspective of how important blood donations are. Med Techs, who staff hospital blood banks, are well aware of the critical need for enough blood units for patient care and medical emergencies. Importantly, she is Lead Biomedical Scheduler, finding volunteers for shifts when not covered. For her leadership role Kathleen was honored with the Biomedical Services Exceptional Volunteer Award.

In addition, Kathleen is a dedicated Duty Officer for Disaster Services. “The Duty Officer is so powerful, working with the fire captains and lieutenants dispatching Disaster Action Teams to help those affected by a house fire. Speaking with people who have suffered a lot in a very difficult situation is humbling.”

She admires the committed volunteers who go out and meet with those affected by a house fire or other disaster.  “It is very eye-opening” she explained. Having recently completed Disaster Services Deployment Training she is ready to go when there is an opportunity.

Kathleen is also a member of the Community Outreach Team representing the American Red Cross at community events providing American Red Cross information about donating time, money, blood, and teaching life-saving skills so communities can be better prepared.

The American Red Cross is highlighting women who #LeadLikeClara. For Kathleen, Clara Barton was the founding mother of the American Red Cross giving of herself for humanitarian service. “Because of Clara, the American Red Cross is historically linked with women. So many women have volunteered. Today it is refreshing to see how many have been given leadership positions!”

Kathleen is well-rounded, volunteering for other organizations. She is committed to “Host for Hospitals,” opening her home to a patient or patient’s family while in a health institution in Philadelphia. Right now, she is hosting a woman from New York who is undergoing surgery. Her passion is traveling. She literally has traveled “all around the world”, including Europe, Japan, China, Vietnam, South Africa. In April she’s going to Australia and New Zealand!

By Ava Arteaga

Jenny Farley is a Communications volunteer who brings a wealth of experience and expertise, drawing from her background as a CNN news producer and education from the University of Florida. In one of Jenny's standout achievements with the Red Cross, she served as a story producer with the national photography team during Sound the Alarm in Philadelphia.

But what truly sets Jenny apart is how she embodies the spirit of service in every task she undertakes. As she beautifully puts it, "My favorite part about volunteering for the Red Cross is getting to hear people’s stories…I genuinely love talking to people and taking their picture."

The first story she covered was the Lindley Towers building collapse in Philadelphia. “It was my first time in a shelter and I was so moved by the people I met there. Telling their stories was a privilege and getting to see Red Cross volunteers in action was amazing,” she shared.

It’s evident that whether Jenny is capturing poignant moments through her lens or crafting compelling narratives for our blog, she is dedicated to making a difference.

It's this commitment and meaningful contributions to nearly every aspect of our team that made her the recipient of the Exceptional Volunteer Award for Communications in 2023.

According to Jenny’s supervisor Alana Mauger, Red Cross regional communications manager, “Not only is Jenny an excellent writer who takes on many of the more challenging and emotional stories for our blog, but she frequently goes above and beyond to provide photography, event and media support for our region. Jenny is a compassionate listener and is a great sounding board for ideas. She’s always willing to share her considerable expertise in the field of communications.”

By Judith Weeks

Michele Fisher serves as the volunteer lead for the Red Cross Southeastern PA Disaster Information and Planning Team. She says it allows her to make an impact “without being on the front line.”

“While my work may not be that glamorous, I like the work supporting the Disaster Action Team members. There is more to be done behind the scenes,” she said.

Michele started volunteering as a blood donor ambassador during the early stages of the COVID pandemic – a role she continues today.  “I meet people who tell their life stories and why they donate. I’ve even converted a couple of donors to be volunteers!”

 Early on, she discovered her niche in Disaster Cycle Services. Michele and her Information and Planning team support Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. They are responsible for managing the distribution of Client Assistance Cards (CAC cards) to DAT volunteers. The Red Cross provides immediate financial assistance in the form of a debit card (CAC card) to persons affected by a disaster, which are typically home fires. The DAT volunteer on site records information describing the incident, determines the need for each person and issues CAC cards.

Stringent policies must be followed. Each new DAT volunteer meets with Michele to go over the process before receiving CAC cards. To help with compliance, she wrote comprehensive 50-page training document for volunteers to learn to use the systems for issuing and tracking CAC cards.

“Everything I do is in the background. I’m always supporting our Disaster Action Team! I just like helping them and hearing about the work they do in the field. It’s all about giving back to people. I really enjoy it!” she said.

Michele’s volunteer work is at home in front of a computer. This is a perfect fit because she has a full-time job and can still volunteer on her own schedule. Her challenge is building a team.

“It’s hard to get people to work inside. Information planning is a very special role that allows volunteers to engage with the DAT Team without going out at two in the morning to a house fire. It’s flexible because a volunteer can contribute when they can and still make an impact. Maybe someone who reads this story will want to give it a try,” she said.

Michele is a full-time engineer with a local company in King of Prussia. She and her husband, Andy, have two cats. “We love them very much!” she added. They like obstacle course running, and she recently completed her first 24-hour run and hit her goal of 50 miles!

By Alana Mauger

When Bill Gausch retired as operations director for a Fortune 500 company, he started looking for a volunteer role where he could “have an immediate impact and help someone on a frontline experience.” He found it with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

A DAT supervisor, Bill lives in Chester County but responds to disasters across the region and beyond. He tends to make himself available for harder-to-fill shifts, like nights, weekends and holidays. Bill estimates that he’s responded to well over 100 local disaster calls, most of which are home fires.

“I’ll go just about anywhere there’s a need,” he said.

He has also deployed to national disasters several times, including Mississippi and California. On national deployments, as well as locally should the need arise, Bill volunteers with the Mass Care, Sheltering, Feeding and Disaster Assessment teams.

Bill says that his favorite part about working with the Red Cross is the camaraderie and teamwork among the volunteers.

“You know that everyone is so sincere. You don’t do this kind of work unless you want to,” he said.

He is also grateful for the opportunity to comfort those in need.

“The ability to help some people at their most vulnerable times is so rewarding, and that keeps me going,” he shared.

Bill has some words of wisdom for those looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity.

“If you’re looking to join an organization that truly is at the frontline of helping people, the Red Cross is for you. You can give care and comfort to people who really need you,” he said.

By Terri Seydel

Volunteer Mary Harper embodies the spirit and leadership of Red Cross founder Clara Barton, who brought comfort and relief to Americans suffering from disasters or serving on the battlefield

Mary’s journey has always been one of compassion and purpose. From her college days as a psychology major, volunteering in Appalachia, curating job opportunities and rolling up her sleeves in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mary has consistently chosen to be where help was most needed. But it was after retiring from her career with the City of Philadelphia that Mary truly stepped into the legacy of Clara Barton.

In her first year as a Red Cross volunteer, Mary immersed herself in both Disaster Services and Military Support Services, helping those navigating some of life’s toughest storms. Yet, it was her personal connection to the struggles of our nation’s veterans that ultimately shaped her purpose.

Mary’s brother, Willy Harper, served in Vietnam during a time when understanding and resources for veterans were scarce. Like so many others, Willy faced the invisible wounds of war. His struggle with PTSD led to his disappearance and, tragically, his passing before Mary could reconnect with him. Despite the heartbreak, Mary dedicated herself to ensuring that other veterans and their families never feel alone in their journey.

Today, Mary channels her passion into the Red Cross’s Services to the Armed Forces. She facilitates monthly behavioral health workshops, equipping veterans with coping skills to navigate the challenges of civilian life. Mary coordinates the creation and distribution of comfort kits, providing essentials to veterans in need. Mary also hosts Yellow Ribbon events, preparing service members and their families for the realities of deployment and educating them about vital resources like the Hero Care Network, which provides emergency connections for military families.

Mary’s commitment doesn’t stop there. Each year, she marches in the Philadelphia Veterans Day parade with her daughters and grandchildren, proudly celebrating those who have served and inspiring the next generation to embrace the humanitarian spirit.

Through her tireless efforts, Mary Harper is more than a volunteer—she is a lifeline, a mentor, and a source of hope for those who have given so much for our country. Her work reminds us of the profound impact one person can make when they choose to lead with compassion and purpose.

By Jenny Farley

Before a Red Cross volunteer can deploy to a disaster, there’s a lot of work behind the scenes. The mission is to get people to the right place and make sure they are taken care of so they can do their number one job – helping people recover and rebuild their lives.

One of the volunteers who makes that happen is Mary Hughes. She has volunteered for the Red Cross since 2013, and now works as a regional deployment lead in our Southeastern Pennsylvania region.

Mary helps volunteers get ready to deploy by ensuring they “know what to bring, that they are prepared, and that they know how to assess the situation.”

She tells them what to pack and reminds them that on a deployment the minimum time commitment is two weeks away from home and may be longer. She also advises them of hazards or severe weather conditions they may face so they can stay safe.

As the world’s largest humanitarian network, the Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters a year, most of them home fires. Mary has deployed several times herself.

“Where I send people out on deployment I could also deploy and I’ll be on the other end as staffing, receiving people.”

Throughout her years of volunteering, there is one family Mary can’t forget. A father had gone to work while his son attended school. During the day, a fire killed the man’s wife, who was the boy’s mother.

The Red Cross helped the man afford to get his wife’s ashes back to their home country and coordinate with the foreign embassy to make the arrangements.

“It all changed in an instant for them and hopefully the Red Cross, their help in some way, was a positive for him, even though it was a very unfortunate circumstance.”

  Each disaster is unique but there is a common thread that ties them together.

“The clientele are all different, but they all have the same need and desire – to kind of get back to normal.”

Mary first volunteered for the Red Cross in high school as a switchboard operator. She temporarily stopped volunteering after she said she may have cut off one too many callers.

The desire to help people never left, and when she retired from her work as a civilian employee for the Navy and the Air Force, she drove by a Red Cross office and her life changed.

“It didn’t take long for me to figure I was not going to sit home and watch TV.”

Mary said her favorite part about volunteering for the Red Cross is “even though I’m an introvert, it’s the people interaction and assisting people.”

The Red Cross responds to a disaster every 8 minutes, and that couldn’t happen without volunteers like Mary, who often work out of public view.

“I think it’s pretty important because if there aren’t any behind the scenes people then it’s hard to get the volunteers out there, especially with all of the things that they have to consider when they’re deploying.”

Mary’s service has even inspired her husband to volunteer, after he overheard her coordinating for the Red Cross on a call.

“I was on the phone with somebody and all of a sudden, he was a man possessed. He took all the classes, and now he seems to enjoy volunteering himself. There’s something for everybody.”

By Grayson Uckele

Christine Lawrence is a dedicated American Red Cross volunteer who takes particular pride in serving the armed forces. She’s usually the first volunteer to offer services to lead workshops or offer other regions help when they’re short-staffed. Christine’s programs’ participants often rave about her, and she’s described by Red Cross colleagues as warm, funny, and compassionate.

Christine is active with the Red Cross Armed Forces Resiliency Program, the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service, Disaster Mental Health Services, and the Regional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Her dedication to her volunteer work is so complete and her drive is so obvious, she’s a clear asset to the American Red Cross.

Christine says it was a mixture of her professional experience, an inward desire, and heavenly direction that led her to volunteer with the Red Cross, and more specifically, volunteer services with the armed forces. Christine explained, “my background includes working in different sectors relating to medical health, public health education, and management. I didn’t realize that, in each sector, I gravitated toward certain areas. One of those areas was advocating for individuals and armed forces. Recent medical situations I encountered surprisingly led me to the Red Cross during my own physical recovery.”

Numerous cherished memories keep Christine involved with the Red Cross. She shared that just a ‘Thank you, ma’am,’ from soldiers fulfills her work. Volunteering in response to disasters and training new volunteers with the Service to the Armed Forces program reminds Christine of who the American Red Cross is helping and that encourages her to serve with an open heart. She also described her work overseas as an extremely rewarding opportunity that allowed her to work with the military on a different level.

When asked about words of wisdom or advice for those considering volunteer work with the Red Cross, Christine said that she had hesitations of her own before falling in love with the organization. Her hesitation came from a fear of a new learning path, and she shared that she’s still learning with the Red Cross. She shared that there were times when she questioned her own professional abilities, but she encourages any new person considering volunteering with the Red Cross to embrace their hesitancy and allow that fear to be a walkway to embracing something new. Christine’s advice:

“Each one of us has gifts to brighten someone’s day who may be in need. Allow yourself the chance to do that and in return, your soul will smile.”

By Maureen Zug

While interviewing American Red Cross volunteer colleague Xinyao (Xin) Lin, I was reminded of the old adage, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.”

Xin (pronounced Zhen) is an 18-year-old youth volunteer who recently won the Financial Development department's 2024 Outstanding Volunteer Award.  The award was presented at the Celebration of Volunteers event on March 8, 2025.

I was delighted to meet up with Xin and to find out how she accomplishes so much.

Xin Connects with the Red Cross

Her story began about 18 months ago by seeking out a volunteer opportunity with the Red Cross.  Because her high school in South Philadelphia, Academy at Palumbo, does not have a Red Cross Club, Xin took the initiative to seek out volunteering.  She came at the right time to help with the Red Cross’ headquarters move from 2221 Chestnut St. to the newly renovated 700 Spring Garden Campus.  With 50 years of archival  records, the Financial Development team needed help with  cleaning out, packing, and organizing boxes of records. Her supervisor reported that Xin gracefully took up the challenges. She exceeded  the move preparation team’s expectations and quickly became an essential part of the team.  Since Xin is a high school senior, she volunteered her time on Saturdays to support the project.

Personal Interests and Family Life

Xin was born in China and has lived in the U.S. for the last 10 years. She lives in South Philadelphia with her mother, older sister, middle school-aged brother, and pet poodle, Laker.  Currently in her senior year,  Xin has completed the college selection process and will be attending Drexel University as an Accounting major in fall 2025. She is also a talented pianist and violinist. Xin loves to run with teachers and friends.  Over the last several years she has completed both half-marathons and a whole marathon during the annual Broad Street Run. Her favorite family activities include picnics and outings with her own family as well as other families in the Chinese-American community.

Volunteering Philosophy and Inspiration

When asked about why she volunteers, Xin explained,” I like to help people, meet people, and it feels good.” Her older sister has a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and is pursuing graduate studies in the field.  As an older sister, she encourages Xin in her volunteering.  Upon her completion of studies at Drexel, Xin hopes to visit China after college.

I was happy to be in the audience cheering for Xin when she received her Outstanding Volunteer Award.  Even with her busy schedule, she remains a generous contributor to the American Red Cross mission.

By Alana Mauger

Russell Massey began volunteering with the American Red Cross in 1959 as a high school student. He worked in the reception area of pop-up polio clinics that administered the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines.

“We’d go to a school in a neighborhood and we would register the people as they came in,” he recalled. “We would vaccinate many hundreds in a day.”

He also remembers being one of around 50 high school students to participate in a week-long Red Cross leadership camp at the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey.

An active blood donor since 1967, Russell’s next chapter with the Red Cross appropriately began at a blood drive after he retired at the end of 2021. He was scheduled to give blood at his church – Grace Point in Newtown. When he arrived, he was greeted by a fellow member of the congregation who was training to be a Blood Donor Ambassador.

“I asked what was involved, and I said, ‘I can do that.’ I signed up the next day,” he shared.

You can find Russell volunteering at blood drives in Bucks, Mercer and Burlington counties 2-3 times per week. He enjoys interacting with people the most and feels good about helping the collections staff.

In 2023, the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region presented Russell with an Exceptional Biomedical Volunteer Award for Bucks County. His letter of nomination noted Russell’s “can do attitude” and his willingness to help out at the last minute.

By Alana Mauger

Like American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, Randy Miller’s first passion is being a nurse. She recalls with great affection the Florence Nightingale Pledge, which she first recited during her graduation ceremony from Montgomery County Community College as a registered nurse in 1982.

“You know, I still have my Florence Nightingale lamp that we carried when we graduated,” she shared.

Decades later, when Randy became the first nurse to receive the Beacon Award at Kennedy Health, she shared part of that pledge and how it called to her.

Randy is a board-certified psychiatric nurse, and she recently became a certified grief and loss educator. For most of her 41-year nursing career, Randy served as nurse manager in hospital psychiatric units. She also was an active part of a community Suicide Prevention Taskforce and was a first-responder in schools when there was a traumatic loss of a child.

When she retired in 2021, Randy searched for a way to continue serving the community. She soon found the Red Cross and became an active member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT), which provides immediate emergency assistance to those impacted by home fires and natural disasters.

She enjoys the unique teamwork aspect of the Red Cross, where volunteers and staff work together.

“It’s an unusual setup that 90% of the workforce are volunteers. It’s one of the things that keeps me going with the Red Cross – being part of a team, and we’re all bringing something different to the table,” she said.

Her work with DAT led her to join the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health team, which Randy now leads. She’s also part of the Red Cross Integrated Care and Condolence Team (ICCT), which is comprised of credentialed Recovery, Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health and Spiritual Care volunteers and staff. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, ICCT mobilizes to support individuals and families impacted by home fires or natural disaster-related fatalities.

Soon after Randy received her certification as a grief and loss educator, she recalls sitting with a mother who had just lost her daughter in a home fire. The mother showed Randy pictures and shared stories about her daughter.

“It was just so powerful for me to sit with her and witness her grief, to just listen,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing you can do for someone in grief.”

While much of the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health support is done virtually, Randy and a few other volunteers also meet with clients at the Red Cross House – a one-of-a-kind disaster recovery center in West Philadelphia that provides support to clients in a safe and comfortable environment. Families get their own room and key with a bathroom and three meals per day while they develop a recovery plan with a Red Cross caseworker.

At the Red Cross House, Randy and her team meet with individuals and families who are referred to them as part of the DAT intake or recovery processes. She enjoys the ability to meet with people in person, to “just sit with them and be present with them.” She also takes the opportunity to eat meals with families who haven’t been referred, just to check in with them and see how they’re doing.

“When you’re sitting with someone and listening and allowing them to tell their story and witnessing their grief without trying to fix it, you’ve just created such an opening for their healing. You give them hope by your presence,” she shared.

In addition to her work with DAT, ICCT and Disaster Mental Health, Randy is part of the Red Cross Mass Care and Preparedness teams. She is also a Disaster Cycle Services basic instructor, teaching Psychological First Aid.

“Being of service is really a privilege. It’s exhilarating and so positive,” she said. “I wish that more people my age would realize that they can contribute. Plus, the Red Cross has so many different opportunities.”

By Jenny Farley

For the past 18 years, Mary Noll has volunteered for the Red Cross. She has deployed at least 30 times, helping out after disasters at home and throughout the country. Now, her service and dedication have been nationally recognized with the prestigious Bob Hasmiller Award as the disaster services volunteer of the year. She received the honor at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Mary said she felt humbled by the award and shared the credit with her fellow volunteers. “I owe a lot of the award that I got to the people that I work with. I’ve had a lot of good people that have taught me and as a result I’ve turned around and tried to teach others what I’ve learned.”

In 2022, Mary volunteered 3,800 hours. “That’s almost two full time jobs,” she said. Mary has several roles with the Red Cross including instructor, mass care and many logistical jobs that help keep the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV) on the road during a disaster.

She is a Red Cross fleet and facilities volunteer partner, transportation lead, a National Fleet Operations (NFO) administrator and the specialty vehicle operator lead for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Region.

“When I go out on national responses, I go out as an admin so I assist the mechanics in inspecting and repairing and servicing anything that is on the disaster relief operation.

So we keep as many vehicles as possible functional.”

Those vehicles are critical to providing people with the help they need to recover from a disaster, like the one that inspired Mary to begin volunteering.

“I’m a Katrina baby,” she said. During Hurricane Katrina, Mary said she was sitting on a couch in Atlanta, on her birthday, watching the devastation and misery of the storm on the news. What she did next changed her life.

“I just said, what am I doing sitting here when I should be there?” She signed up to volunteer with the Red Cross and was immediately deployed to the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans. “Basically, Ground Zero,” she said.

Mary fed people out of the back of an ERV for nearly a month and spent Thanksgiving with grateful residents in an empty lot in the middle of the Lower 9th Ward. “They said,

‘You’re part of our family and we need you to sit down and have dinner with us.’ So it was the most meaningful Thanksgiving I’ve ever had. Even to this day it makes me cry.”

Helping people survive after one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history, taught Mary how important it is to cherish what you have because “you never know how much you have to lose until you lose it.”

Mary coped with her own immense loss when she kept volunteering with the Red Cross during the pandemic. “The Red Cross was there for me when my husband was diagnosed with a blood cancer,” she said.

After years of donating blood themselves, Mary and her husband Peter suddenly needed blood for Peter to fight cancer.

“Toward the end, he was getting 10 units of one type of blood product or another a week. If it hadn’t been for that, he wouldn’t have been around, as long as he had.”

Peter died of his rare cancer after a lifetime together and nearly 47 years of marriage. Mary credits blood donations with helping him live longer, giving them more time. Peter had a volunteer spirit too. The week before he died he helped move donated mattresses into the Red Cross House in Philadelphia.

The Red Cross House is the only one of its kind in the country. It’s a place for people who have lost everything in a fire or other disaster like a building collapse, to temporarily live while they rebuild their lives. Mary has volunteered there helping guests at the front desk when they first arrive.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Red Cross, Mary has some advice. “You get more out of it than you can ever put into it. People are so grateful that you’re there in their darkest hour.”

Mary plans to keep volunteering and sharing the Red Cross mission, with the memories of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters she has deployed to, never forgotten.

“That’s why I’m still here. I go out and I take care of people. People say why do you do it? And I say because if something like that happened to my family, I’d want somebody to do it for them.”

By Judith Weeks

Jesse O’Brien gives a face to the American Red Cross.

 “I like being there to put a face on the American Red Cross, so individuals know who the Red Cross is. Being there face-to-face just shows the Red Cross is there to help them."

Early in his career as a paramedic, Jesse was a Red Cross CPR Instructor. His heart was set on helping others in need so in 2023 he volunteered for the Southeast Pennsylvania Region Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT). Jesse quickly became the Bucks County Disaster Action Team Coordinator. Committed to new DAT volunteers, he helps them prepare for single-family home or multi-family apartment fires. Jesse puts these volunteers under his wing so they can do the right job. “If I go out for a call, I usually recruit new members to get in and acclimated to what we do.”

Jesse plays a critical role in Red Cross disaster response leading DAT meetings and coordinating with other DAT leaders. He is always present, sharing his ideas, helping with documentation, assisting in schedule coordination and much more.

His dedication paid off. Jesse was recognized for his leadership, receiving the Bucks County Exceptional Disaster Volunteer Award for 2024!

“I find that a lot of the responses we go on, we are dealing with people who have losteverything, but just being there shows them that we listen.”

He recounts an experience with an elderly couple who lost everything when their home, a trailer house, was destroyed by a fire. When Jesse arrived at the scene, the couple explained they had insurance and family to help them. They said they really didn’t need Red Cross services. He gave them a big hug and told them, “We understand what you are going through. We’re going to try our best to help you get back on your feet.” All they were looking for was just someone who cares and listens.

Jesse finds many do not know who the Red Cross is. “It’s challenging because I feel as though we don’t get calls to help individuals because they are concerned about the cost. I try to advocate in the community that Red Cross assistance is here for one purpose, to serve and not to collect any money. We are doing this to help!”

Jesse was deployed last year to Houston, Texas, a city overcome by flooding. He jumped in and helped with sheltering, food distribution, and cleanup kits. “In a local response, families in single-family homes, or multiple families in apartments are affected. But in Houston, I learned to think quickly on my feet because hundreds of people were looking for help.”

“For me, I’m not doing it for the praise, that’s just how I am. I’m a person who cares.”

Jesse is married and has a five-year-old daughter. His family does everything together whether vacation or hobbies or just going out. They enjoy the Shore and the Poconos!

By Maura Wynne

Nancy Orlando embodies the spirit of a lifelong volunteer. For her, giving back isn't just an activity; it's woven into the fabric of who she is. This passion for service took root in her childhood, watching her parents actively engage in their community through PTA events and thoughtful gestures like donating baked goods. These early experiences illuminated the profound impact of even small acts of kindness. As a student, Nancy eagerly sought opportunities to contribute, from directing a school play to participating in collections for UNICEF and Toys for Tots. This ingrained sense of service seamlessly transitioned into her adult life, where she consistently dedicated her time to causes close to her heart.

The events of 9/11 spurred Nancy to take action within her workplace, where she spearheaded a volunteer group that organized blood drives, assembled care packages for troops, and coordinated fundraisers for various charities. When the isolation of the pandemic left her longing for those connections, it was a natural progression for her to find a new avenue for service with the American Red Cross as a Blood Donor Ambassador. "Volunteering just seems like a big part of my heart and who I am," Nancy explains. "It's truly meaningful when you help others! While you may have helped with no expectations of a return, it's interesting that it ends up helping you too—with good feelings!"

Since joining the Red Cross in June 2023, Nancy has already dedicated over 300 hours to this role. Her work as a Blood Donor Ambassador goes beyond a simple title; it's a chance to cultivate a welcoming and positive atmosphere for donors. Whether she's offering reassurance to first-time donors or celebrating the milestones of long-time contributors, Nancy infuses every shift with warmth and genuine enthusiasm. "Each drive has a different tempo depending on the location, donors, and staff," she observes. "But the best part is connecting with people—donors, staff, and host site organizers. I love making donors laugh, sharing funny stories from past drives, and ensuring they feel appreciated."

One of the most profound aspects of her volunteer work is participating in blood drives organized in honor or memory of loved ones. Engaging with the families, hearing their stories, and understanding their motivations deeply reinforces the significance of her service. "It's an honor to express my condolences and acknowledge the incredible reasons behind their decision to host a drive."

Nancy finds particular fulfillment in volunteering at high school blood drives. "Being a small part of a student's first donation experience is amazing," she shares. "I try to help them have fun and make it a positive experience, so maybe they’ll become lifelong donors." Teamwork is integral to Nancy's volunteer efforts. She collaborates closely with Red Cross staff and fellow volunteers, ensuring the smooth operation of each drive through open and consistent communication. "I always check in with the charge to understand the flow of the drive and keep donors informed if there are any schedule delays. A smile, appreciation, and transparency go a long way."

Nancy is continually inspired by the generosity of blood donors and the unwavering dedication of the Red Cross staff. "I’m always surprised and touched when donors thank me for volunteering," she says. "And I’m truly honored to work alongside staff who dedicate their lives to service. They are some of the finest, most caring people on the planet!"

Her commitment to raising awareness about the critical need for blood donation is resolute. Learning that only a small percentage of the population donates blood has fueled her determination to make a difference. "We must be the change we wish to see in the world," she reflects. "We rise by lifting others, and together, we can make a meaningful difference."

Beyond her vital work with the Red Cross, Nancy also contributes her time and expertise to the Alumni Society Board for Penn State Great Valley, where she earned her Master of Leadership Development. She finds both roles deeply fulfilling and purposeful. "While these service roles are about giving back, I am grateful to be involved—they add meaning to my life.

"For anyone contemplating volunteering, Nancy offers a simple yet powerful piece of advice: "Give it a try. You might find it meaningful and rewarding on so many levels."

By Christal Harte

Much like Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, Rahel Pachter has dedicated herself to serving those in need with unwavering determination. Barton, known as the "Angel of the Battlefield," fearlessly stepped into crisis zones to aid soldiers and civilians alike. Rahel embodies this same spirit of compassion and resilience, bringing comfort to both people and their beloved pets during disasters.

Rahel’s journey with the Red Cross began in 2019 as a blood donor ambassador, but her passion quickly expanded into disaster response and pet welfare. Witnessing the struggles of pet owners during emergencies, she took the initiative to become a pet liaison, ensuring that animals are not forgotten in times of crisis. Attending a Shelter Training Institute in California solidified her commitment, leading her to launch the pet liaison program in SEPA independently.

Rahel’s leadership shines through in her ability to make people feel safe and supported, even in the most trying circumstances. She has worked tirelessly to develop necessary forms and procedures for the Disaster Pet Liaison program. Rahel provides a valuable service to vulnerable pet owners. One of her memorable experiences involved helping an elderly woman who needed constant supervision. Recognizing the unique challenges in such situations, she plans to order essential supplies like slip leashes to assist responders in handling pets more effectively.

Like Barton, who built the Red Cross on the foundation of human connection and service, Rahel believes in the power of personal touch. She offers strong therapeutic hugs and brings hope to those she meets, ensuring that even in the darkest moments, no one feels alone.

As a Red Cross responder in Marion, near the Philadelphia line, she and her husband enter neighborhoods others might avoid, driven by faith and a deep sense of duty. As a Disaster Action Team supervisor, she mentors new trainees, witnessing firsthand the heartbreaking realities of those affected by disasters. Frustrated with the system’s temporary solutions, she dreams of creating a truly impactful organization to support people in need—just as Barton did when she revolutionized emergency relief.

One of Rahel’s biggest concerns is the lack of affordable, temporary housing for pets during disasters. The cost of accommodating animals in hotels is high, and she envisions a mobile spay-neuter unit to provide essential care on the go. By addressing these issues, she hopes to bridge the gap in disaster relief services for both people and their beloved pets.

By Jenny Farley

For most of us, finding one passion in life that excites us can provide a lifetime of reward. Ellen Silverberg-Brennan has several, including a long track record of giving blood, volunteering and doing intricate needlework.

Ellen started volunteering for the Red Cross after witnessing the organization in action.

“I had been with FEMA for many years and had seen the Red Cross working at disaster locations,” she said. She saw the Red Cross provide food, shelter and clothing to people who had lost everything.

The Red Cross recently awarded Ellen an Exceptional Biomedical Volunteer award for her work as a blood donor ambassador and an onboarding and training specialist.

“It made me feel great,” she said.

Ellen had a background in training and had donated blood since college in the 70’s, so becoming an ambassador was a “natural transition.”

Blood donor ambassadors help donors through the process of giving blood. Ellen speaks to volunteers who want to become ambassadors, describes what the job entails and then arranges a training session.

At donation sites as a blood donor ambassador, Ellen registers donors when they first arrive. She then makes sure donors go to the refreshment area after they are done, and she keeps a watchful eye on how they are doing.

“I tell them liquids are mandatory and snacks are optional,” she said.

After years of experience volunteering, Ellen is still impressed by the accomplishments of the Red Cross.

“The fact that the Red Cross provides 40% of the blood that’s donated in the U.S. That’s incredible!” Ellen said.

When Ellen decided she wanted to do more to help, she started donating platelets. Patients fighting illnesses like cancer critically need platelets to help their blood clot.

The process takes longer than a routine blood donation but to donors like Ellen, it’s worth it.

“I started donating platelets because it made me feel special. There are very few platelet donors compared to whole blood donors. It made me feel like I had gone the extra mile.”

Ellen has also volunteered at a Red Cross shelter. She said, “The shelter exposure makes you realize how fortunate you are that you have a house to go back to.”

During her time spent at a shelter, she paid special attention to the pets, especially the cats.

“I stopped at each enclosure, petted the cats and fed them some treats,” she said.

Ellen’s love of cats is on display at the Philadelphia Zoo, where she has volunteered as a docent for the past 13 years. Admittedly, these cats are bigger. The zoo has lions, tigers, leopards and even a jaguar. She gets to stand near the cats (when they want to come near), separated by glass.

“I really interact with the people. I love sharing what I know about the cats and answering people’s questions.”

Ellen does needlepoint projects that often feature cats. She learned how to needlepoint as a child, continuing a long tradition from her mother and her mother’s mother.

Her most complex piece involved 396 one-by-one-inch squares, “unique in color or pattern,” each with its own design.

“It’s practically a life project,” she said.

It takes a special kind of artist to meticulously piece together that many squares, and a special kind of person to give blood and volunteer.

Just like every stitch matters in needlepoint, every drop of blood matters in a donation.

Ellen said everyone should know the variety of services the Red Cross offers and that volunteers make up the majority of the workforce.

She said she would tell people, “donate to the Red Cross because of the value of the work that’s being done.”

By Jenny Farley

To understand what the Red Cross means to Lisa Stokes, you have to go back in time to when her love for the organization first blossomed.

“My relationship began with the Red Cross back in 1997 because my daughter was a one-pound preemie,” she said.

Doctors gave Lisa’s daughter, Mariah, 72 hours to live.

“She was born at 25 weeks, and she needed blood transfusions that came from the Red Cross.”

Blood helped save her.

“Those blood transfusions were made possible through the donations from total strangers to keep my daughter alive, to give her a chance to live.”

Mariah was medically fragile with respiratory issues that required round-the-clock nursing care. Lisa became her protector and the coordinator of a lot of moving parts to make sure Mariah was safe and well cared for. Mariah depended on medical equipment to help keep her stable.

In 2013, a fire broke out next door. When flames crept up the walls, they ruined everything, filling that life-sustaining medical equipment with soot and destroying everything but a few clothes.

By then, Lisa had two other children, her daughter Maiya and Chantel, a niece/daughter she adopted as a toddler.

The fire left Lisa and her family with nowhere to go.

“I ended up standing in front of the Red Cross House just looking up like I cannot believe that I’m here.”

There is only one Red Cross House in the United States, and it's in Philadelphia. Last year, staff at the Red Cross House helped more than 500 families recover from a disaster by providing a free place to stay and regular meals.

When Lisa and her girls arrived in 2013, the Red Cross House had to adapt to Mariah’s medical needs. With Lisa’s help, the staff learned how to support a new type of guest.

Lisa said staying there was, “The best decision I ever made.” She said, “They were able to give me and my daughters a place to not only lay our heads, not only provide three meals a day for us, but they allowed a safe space for me to understand everything that happened to us and then begin to rebuild.”

When her stay ended and her family could finally return home, she vowed to come back. She kept her promise. That began an odyssey of more than a decade of volunteering for the Red Cross.

“When people understand that there’s people out here willing to help you, it changes your perspective, and so, Red Cross is it for me.”

Lisa became a Red Cross board member who recently won the Anita Lockwood Award, given to a leadership volunteer with years of dedicated service to the Red Cross in several areas.

“From Sound the Alarms, to setting up and packing survival and disaster kits, if they call on me and I'm available, I go.”

At the award ceremony, Red Cross Regional CEO Jennifer Graham said, “Lisa’s enthusiasm is infectious, and her passion for our mission shines brightly.” She thanked Lisa for her “exceptional leadership and enduring presence.”

During this Women’s History Month, Lisa has a message for future female leaders interested in humanitarian work like the Red Cross.

“Be bold and show up. As an African American woman, a person of color, representation means a lot.” She said, “Being bold and stepping up, maybe even out of your comfort zone, is what we have to do in an unapologetic way. I’m here. I’m here to help.”

Lisa balances a full-time job as a Community Health worker at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital with her extensive commitment to volunteering for the Red Cross. Like most women, she’s used to handling multiple things at once. So, what advice does she have for other women to avoid burnout?

“I pace myself. ‘No’ is a complete sentence with a period. With no explanation.” She said, “I tell women when I speak to them, don't forget to take some time for yourself. Self-care is not selfish.”

As for dealing with the hardships of surviving a disaster like a fire, she said, “The sun is going to come out. You may not see it right now, but the sun is going to shine again.”

Through everything she has survived and accomplished, Lisa encourages others to get involved, donate blood and especially follow her example and volunteer for the Red Cross.

“Volunteering for the Red Cross will fill the void you didn’t know that you had.”

By Terri Seydel

As founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton set a high bar of commitment with her spirit of humanitarianism and disaster relief. And now, nearly 150 years after she founded the American Red Cross, the organization honors her legacy by recognizing modern-day volunteers dedicated to helping people within their communities.

Of the many dedicated Red Cross volunteers in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Debbie Tevlin stands out with 13 years of serving her community and inspiring other volunteers.

As her teenage children were busy with their own lives, Debbie found that she had free time and chose to begin volunteering with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Over time, as the DAT team took on more responsibilities, Debbie leaned in to help cover many of the emerging needs. The roles she has filled within the Disaster Cycle services have included DAT responder, DAT captain, Montgomery County Workforce Coordinator, Regional DAT lead, Course Instructor, Duty Officer, and seven deployments as a shelter supervisor for natural disasters in the United States.  

Through all these experiences, Debbie’s favorite part of volunteering is helping disaster victims take the first steps to a healthy recovery. She believes it’s important to ensure victims feel safe and supported during the chaos and trauma of a disaster.

Aside from the official responsibilities, Debbie’s core passion and talent is in championing other volunteers’ success. She has made it her mission to help her peers use their skills and grow through their experiences. She takes great joy in seeing other volunteers rise to the level that they can supervise and mentor other volunteers and celebrates their achievements and the value they bring to their community.

Debbie leads by example in her belief that every volunteer deserves committed mentors to help them be their best self and make a significant difference in their community.

By Alana Mauger

For the Westermann family – Marty, his wife of 41 years Karen, and his sister Lisa – retirement has been about giving back and helping others. Fortunately, they chose to volunteer for the American Red Cross.

How it started

Lisa Westermann has been a blood donor for most of her life – a habit she started because her parents donated for as long as they were able.

“In my twenties, I saw them donate religiously,” she said.

As she neared retirement from her career as an insurance underwriter, volunteering with the Red Cross seemed like a great way to stay engaged. So in October 2020, Lisa became a blood donor ambassador – someone who helps ensure blood drives run smoothly to provide a positive experience for donors.

“I remember being at a blood drive and thinking, you know, when I retire, I could be one of those volunteers,” she said.

Her brother Marty credits Lisa with getting him involved.

“Lisa told me, ‘Okay, you’ve been retired for a couple of years. You don’t have COVID as an excuse anymore. Now it’s time to start volunteering,’” he recalled.

Lisa’s encouragement led Marty to explore volunteer roles with Disaster Cycle Services, which connected nicely with his decades of experience as a nuclear reactor operator and nuclear operations and security auditor. He’s also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air Force National Guard.

First, Marty joined the Disaster Action Team (DAT). He’s the DAT coordinator for Chester County, the volunteer partner for the Chester and Delaware County disaster program manager, and he’s active with the disaster workforce engagement, preparedness and logistics teams.

When Marty threw his hat into the mass care and disaster feeding arena, his wife Karen, recently retired from a career in hospitality, stepped up to the plate.

“Somehow, Marty got involved with feeding and sheltering, and I knew he had no real background in that. So I said yes, I can do this with you,” she recalled.

From there, Karen also started helping install smoke alarms with the Home Fire Campaign.

Like Lisa, Karen was no stranger to the Red Cross. She started donating blood in high school and was even a direct donor for her neighbor’s sister who was battling breast cancer.

Lisa took notice of all the new activities Karen and Marty were joining.

“I was doing blood drives, and these two guys were doing all this stuff, and Marty’s taking all these courses. So at a blood drive, if it’s slow, I’d start taking some disaster courses,” she said.

Soon, Lisa found herself joining Marty and Karen in disaster feeding and smoke alarm installations. Marty also “volunteered” her to help input disaster intake information in RC Care. And she enters all of the Home Fire Campaign paperwork into the national system after smoke alarm installs.

“Marty says I brought him in but then he really got me more involved with a lot of other stuff,” she said.

How it’s going

If there’s a Red Cross activity somewhere in Southeastern Pennsylvania, there’s probably a Westermann nearby. They balance their volunteer work with family time, especially with Karen and Marty’s children and young grandsons, ages 5 months and 5 years. But the Red Cross is a frequent family topic of discussion.

“They’re getting used to when they visit us every once in a while, that I have to disappear for a little bit. They get it,” Marty said.

Karen shared that once their son even asked “if dad was getting PTO for the holiday.” She reminded him, “No, I don’t think so. Remember we’re volunteers, honey.”

What keeps them motivated? For Marty, it’s his fellow volunteers.

“We work with some pretty amazing volunteers. As I get introduced to them, I’m amazed at the backgrounds they have and how they care about their neighbors. It kind of pulls you in. You get a common link,” he shared.

For Lisa, it’s meeting blood donors and hearing their stories and continuing the blood donation legacy started by her parents.

“They’re not only giving their blood, but they’re giving their time,” she said. “Some people come in as couples or families, and they talk about what they do, why they donate. People are pretty amazing.”

For Karen it’s providing comfort in tough times.

“Knowing that food to a lot of people is comfort, by just allowing them to have something in their stomachs, to have that comfort, it’s a good feeling,” she said.

If those aren’t enough reasons to volunteer, Marty has another.

“When I first started, I was so in awe that volunteers run the Red Cross! Like it wouldn’t exist otherwise! And that’s really cool and really neat and really heartwarming. And it restores your faith in humanity, at least for me,” he shared. “It’s good to get out with some good people. And you end up getting more than what you give.”

By Robert Ambrose

Transporting nearby blood donations to the Red Cross lab and onward to hospitals has been Bob's path to a heart of gold. Starting three years ago just after he retired from Human Resources, he acted on what he planned years earlier.

Many years ago, Bob admired the Red Cross volunteerism of his sister-in-law, Sandy Capoferri. The disaster recovery stories Sandy shared left an impression. The chance to select a schedule and doing something he already loved – driving – attracted Bob and he never looked back.

During his nearly three years and counting volunteering for the Red Cross, Bob meanders through the region’s map. At each Red Cross blood donation site, the Blood Donor Ambassadors – also volunteers – whom he meets ensured a personal connection. On one occasion a technical institute was packed with many college-aged donors. Bob's appreciation for the sea of donors stepping up to help their fellow Americans underscored his own commitment. Bob's carful of donations found its way to the next stop: Red Cross Manufacturing Laboratory at the Spring Garden Campus in Philadelphia. In fact, his pick-up at the tech college was one of at least two Red Cross transports to the lab that specific afternoon.

Bob's personal highlight was at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) where he saw young patients gathered for the CHOP Prom. Dressed up, cheering and singing, the young patients evoked his appreciation of young people enjoying a second chance at having fun and life itself. That day, Bob's Red Cross commitment transported him to a premium level beyond just a curious bystander.

By Jenny Farley

Kasra Yaghouti began volunteering for the American Red Cross as a blood donor ambassador in 2020. Just one year later, he took on additional responsibilities as Engagement Lead for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Region.

“I'm so appreciative of everything I've learned – all the incredible people that I've met,” he said.

On March 8, 2025 the Red Cross honored Kasra during the Celebration of Volunteers ceremony, where he won the Exceptional Biomedical Volunteer award for Philadelphia County.

“I was ecstatic to win this award,” he said. Kasra felt thrilled to have been chosen “among such amazing volunteers” who have dedicated years of their life to the Red Cross.

“My goal is always to help others in need,” he said.

In that spirit of helpfulness, Kasra is a dedicated blood donor, having contributed both whole blood and white blood cells through the Red Cross, with plans to continue donating in the future.

In 2021, Kasra co-founded a newsletter for blood donor ambassadors called “The Beat,” which will soon merge with the “Volunteer Voice” newsletter after nearly 30 issues were published. During the pandemic “The Beat” gave volunteers a chance to connect with one another during social distancing.

“Hopefully, the newsletters allowed them to understand that their dedication and support means so much and it goes such a long way towards saving lives.”

Kasra also hosted bi-monthly online meetings for blood donor ambassadors to talk to each other and ask questions, which was especially helpful during the pandemic when people couldn’t meet in person.

He studied biology at Temple University and furthered his education with a post-baccalaureate program in health sciences, working toward his goal of becoming a nurse practitioner in dermatology.

He currently works as a dermatology medical assistant and this fall will begin nursing school. Although his free time will be limited because of an intense course schedule, Kasra said he won’t ever neglect the Red Cross.

“I love volunteering with the Red Cross. It’s always been one of my passions. It’s such a wonderful organization to be involved in -- so welcoming. There’s always opportunities to help. I think I’ll always be a volunteer.”

The Red Cross needs more volunteers like Kasra to support ongoing blood collection efforts and disaster operations. Blood donor ambassadors and blood transportation specialists are two of the biomedical volunteer positions the Red Cross needs the most.

By Maria Marabito

As part of National Volunteer Week, we are celebrating Volunteer Services’ Exceptional Volunteer Maureen C. Zug. Maureen has committed her time, talent and energy toward serving her community and strengthening opportunities for diversity and inclusion.

Volunteering was a big part of her family legacy, Maureen described. “My parents always encouraged all five of us siblings to be involved in volunteer activities from an early age, chiefly through scouting and school.”

Maureen’s first encounter with the American Red Cross was through a first aid course offered in conjunction with an inner city-based enrichment program. She attended a two-week program to learn basic first aid in order to instruct younger children in the program about safety practices and caring for everyday cuts, scrapes and burns.

Honoring her family legacy, Maureen has since served in various roles for the Red Cross, from stamping envelops to serving as a board member. Throughout her life, her dedication to helping others has never wavered.

“Volunteering just feels good!” she remarked. “I enjoy meeting new people locally and across the Red Cross footprint.  Although I am home-based, I encounter inspirational, friendly Red Crossers via video and phone calls. I am so privileged to work with such dedicated, talented folks!”

Despite her passion for service, Maureen’s volunteer work was paused for nearly a decade as she worked to overcome significant health issues. When she was ready to return to active service in 2020, many organizations turned her down due to ongoing mobility limitations. Not the Red Cross, though.

Inclusion in volunteering is essential, and the Red Cross welcomes people of all abilities and backgrounds. After seeing an ad about the Red Cross in an AARP magazine, Maureen immediately contacted the Red Cross and started volunteering with SEPA as a home-based screener, and then as a recruiter. Maureen has now been a part of the Red Cross for two and a half years.

“Without inclusive occupational and professional opportunities, society as a whole loses out,” she said. “I understand the talents and outstanding contributions of those with disabilities.”

In addition to her work with SEPA, Maureen has filled other home-based roles including Volunteer Recruiter/Community Outreach for the Philadelphia Chapter; a SEPA: The Volunteer Voice Newsletter Contributor and DEI Board Committee member; and an NHQ Team Resource Group: The Ability Network Membership co-chair.

“As a disability advocate within the regional SEPA DEI Board Committee, I see myself as a catalyst or connector for information or resources which helps the board move forward,” she described. “The board supports inclusive recruiting practices which have enabled the Philly and DelVal Chapters to reach out most recently to the Neurodiversity Community with volunteer opportunities. Recruiting with other disability communities will surely follow.”

When asked about her service, Maureen highlighted the support she has received from her loved ones, describing her husband George as a “big behind the scenes supporter.” Maureen also recognized Anne Arnold, Bill Thawley, La Valle Warren, Lynn Cohen, Ned Bloom, and Susan Kalkhuis-Beam as colleagues, friends and mentors.

“SEPA has become a second family to me.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve!” Maureen remarked.