By: Jennifer Astion, Northwest Region Volunteer  

Mike Dilley has had an inspiring and meaningful career as both a staff member and a volunteer with the Red Cross. “I’ve been teaching classes for the Red Cross for 55 years,” said Mike.     

His career with the Red Cross started in 1967 in Fort Hood, Texas. He taught junior and senior lifesaving, swim lessons and worked as a lifeguard at the Fort's five outdoor pools and beach.    

Mike's military carreer includes two years active duty with the Army, a year and a half with the Army National Guard and 20 years with the Coast Guard Reserve. After he left the Army, Dilley worked at pools in the Seattle area. While he was the King County Pool Manager, he also taught Red Cross aquatics classes.    

He moved to Minnesota in 1976 where he worked as a water safety instructor for two years and became a Water Safety Instructor Trainer. When he returned to Seattle in 1978, he worked for both city and private aquatic facilities teaching Red Cross aquatics classes. In 1984 the Red Cross updated the aquatics program adding Lifeguarding as a new course and added First Aid and CPR as part of lifeguarding classes. He has also taught sailing and canoeing.  

In 2005, he worked for the Red Cross as a Health and Safety Specialist. Then when Health and Safety was reorganized, he became the Washington and Oregon Aquatics Specialist until November 2012, when he retired.    

During his retirement, Mike has taught First Aid CPR/AED and Disaster Preparedness classes. He also works with SAF.

As a caseworker with Service to the Armed Forces (SAF), Mike followed up with Emergency Communications with service members and their families. “Sometimes it is good news, like a new family member, a baby being born. Sometimes someone has been hurt,” he explained.

Dilley works with service members before and after they are deployed. He helps with deployment briefs explaining how the Red Cross can assist the service members and their family members while they are away. He also greets returning members as part of Welcome Home Programs.

He appreciates the flexible schedule he has as a volunteer for the Red Cross. “I can be as busy as I want to be,” he said. His favorite part of volunteering is teaching classes. “I really enjoy giving presentations and sharing my knowledge with other people.”  

Asked what advice he has for new volunteers, Mike said, “Try a bunch of different volunteer opportunities and find out what works best for you.” He notes that Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is always looking for new volunteers.    

“The Red Cross has been a large part of my career,” he explained. When he settled in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, “The Red Cross helped me have a good job and a good retirement.”