By Nanah Kiambati, Northwest Region Volunteer

For some, volunteering begins with a single act of kindness. For Julie Martin, an Army veteran, service became a lifelong thread woven through every season of her life.

Julie’s Red Cross story began years ago at the University of Massachusetts, where she helped at campus blood drives after taking CPR in high school. What drew her in wasn’t just the activity itself, but the mission: helping people in their moments of need.“I was attracted by the mission of the Red Cross to help others, provide first aid training, and disaster assistance,” Julie recalls. That early experience planted the seed for a connection that would deepen across decades.

After serving 31 years in the Army, Julie understands better than most the critical role the Red Cross plays for service members and their families. “The Red Cross has always been dependable, well run, and always there when needed,” she says. For years, Julie and her husband gave monthly through the Combined Federal Campaign, knowing their gifts supported military families during crises.

When she retired in June 2021, Julie’s commitment to serve didn’t end. She began teaching an “Outward Mindset” course at Madigan Army Medical Center, then soon joined the American Red Cross as a Hero Care volunteer. “I enjoy giving back to the military community and staying connected with my Army family,” Julie explains.

For her, Hero Care isn’t just a program, it is a continuation of the values that guided her Army career: compassion, duty, and care for others.

In Hero Care, Julie makes sure military families know how to reach the Red Cross when emergencies strike. She reviews contact cards and reaches out directly to parents and spouses by emails and calls that explain the Red Cross role in delivering emergency notifications and connecting families to resources.

Those small gestures carry enormous impact. “When parents of service members responded and thanked me for reaching out, it gave me confidence and appreciation for this Red Cross service,” Julie recalls. Even as some processes have become more automated, she keeps the human connection at the center. For Julie, the work is never just about logistics, it’s about compassion and presence.

As a retired Army veteran, Julie knows the challenges military families face and how vital it is to have someone walk alongside them. “Since my husband and I both retired as Army veterans, we appreciate the importance of the Red Cross in helping families through a death or a family situation that requires the presence of the service member. As in all facets of life, effective and compassionate communication is welcome to all involved,” she says.

For Julie, the mission of the Red Cross and the values of the military share common ground: service beyond self, care for others, and commitment to community.

Though much of her Hero Care work has been virtual, Julie finds connection through monthly Red Cross huddles and Service to the Armed Forces gatherings. Those moments of camaraderie remind her she is part of something larger, a nationwide network of volunteers putting compassion into action every day.

Julie’s service also extends to the JBLM Retiree Council, the Combined Federal Campaign, quilt guilds, and the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Everywhere she serves, people meet the same steady presence: calm, capable, and deeply kind.

Balancing commitments can be challenging, but Julie encourages new volunteers to take the first step. Her advice: “Visit the local Red Cross office, meet with staff, and match your interests to the needs of the community. Having a mentor or buddy can make the journey easier.”

Looking back, Julie says volunteering has widened her view of the organization she’s long admired. “Volunteering with the Red Cross has opened my eyes to the variety of services offered. This experience has given me a greater appreciation for the breadth and depth of the Red Cross mission and the value provided to humanity.”

Julie’s hope is simple and powerful: “I want to make a positive impact on others, be remembered as a ‘go-to’ person for assistance, and as someone who connects people to resources that are helpful to them.”

Through Hero Care, Julie Martin continues to embody the Red Cross mission: serving with compassion, supporting those who serve, and reminding us that at the heart of the Red Cross is humanity.

It is volunteers like Julie who make it possible for the American Red Cross to continuously serve communities. 90% of the humanitarian work done by the American Red Cross is carried out by its volunteers. You can sign up to volunteer and make a difference in your community. Click here to learn more about open volunteer positions.