Story told by: Acacia Cameron, Red Cross Volunteer

When Hurricane Helene tore through the Carolinas, Jairo Giraldo and his wife wanted to do more than watch from the sidelines. Newly settled in South Carolina after years in New England, they saw neighbors struggling and felt called to serve. At their church, they met American Red Cross volunteers serving meals and offering comfort, an encounter that sparked Jairo’s own journey into volunteerism.

“I was inspired by a woman named Maria, who was volunteering with the Red Cross,” Giraldo said. “She gave me information and encouraged me to get involved.”

That introduction set Jairo on a path of service. Along with a friend from church and his wife, he visited the Greenville Red Cross chapter and noticed an urgent need for bilingual volunteers. 

“There are so many Spanish-speaking families here in South Carolina who don’t know what resources are available to them,” he explained. “We wanted to help close that gap.”

In 2024, Jairo officially became a Red Cross volunteer in South Carolina. Today, he helps primarily as a Disaster Action Team Volunteer. His bilingual skills allow him to ease fears in difficult moments. 

“A few weeks ago, a car crashed into a home where two families lived. There were a lot of children outside, and everyone was scared,” Jairo recalled. “When we introduced ourselves as Red Cross volunteers and spoke in their language, you could see their immediate relief. Sometimes people are hesitant to accept help because they’re afraid of government involvement. But when we say, ‘We’re just here to help,’ it changes everything.”

For Jairo, time flexibility has been key. “I didn’t feel pressured to donate all my time at once. I could serve at my own pace, and that is very important to me,” he said. He hopes more people will consider volunteering, even in small ways. “The more volunteers we have, the more the work is shared. There’s truly something for everyone at the Red Cross—whether it’s outreach, blood drives, or disaster response.”

Volunteering is a shared commitment for Jairo and his wife. “I feel proud wearing the Red Cross vest,” he said. “It gives me a sense of purpose.” By linking families to caseworkers and critical resources, they not only provide immediate relief but also strengthen their community, a source of pride they carry with them every day.

Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month

As an immigrant from Colombia who came to the U.S. in 1989, Jairo sees Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15 each year, as a chance to highlight both challenges and opportunities within Latino communities.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration in the United States that honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of the Latino/Hispanic community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. 

“In the Northeast, where I first lived, there were more resources and help for people like me,” he said. “Here in the South, the Hispanic community still has unmet needs. That’s why it’s so important to have bilingual volunteers.”

The American Red Cross echoes this commitment, recognizing the vital contributions of Hispanic and Latino volunteers, partners, and blood donors who make lifesaving work possible. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, and we depend on the generosity of donors to help save lives.

The Red Cross works to provide culturally relevant preparedness resources and ensure that humanitarian services reach everyone equitably. Volunteers like Jairo play a critical role in bridging language and cultural gaps so that no one faces an emergency alone.

A Call to Serve

For anyone considering volunteering, Jairo has simple advice: “Listen to your heart. The Red Cross has a job for everyone. You don’t have to be deployed to a disaster—you can find a flexible role that works for you.”

With 90% of its workforce made up of volunteers, the Red Cross depends on people like Jairo to carry out its mission of compassion. This Hispanic Heritage Month, the organization invites others to join in. To donate blood or sign up to volunteer, visit RedCross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).