By Catie Ballenger and Sue Kunimune

From disaster response to community preparedness, Carol Harper shows what dedicated service looks like.

Carol is a natural connector who instinctively sees where gaps exist and steps in to help bridge them. As a proud member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe and a resident of Riverton, Wyoming, she is deeply committed to strengthening both tribal communities — the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone of the Wind River Indian Reservation— and the broader Fremont County region. Her work is grounded in trust, relationships and a shared belief that communities are strongest when everyone is supported.

Carol began volunteering with the American Red Cross of Wyoming in early 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Already working in emergency medical services, she was drawn to the Red Cross mission of organizing, educating and mobilizing communities. Her initial focus was public information and outreach, including lifesaving education such as Hands Only CPR, Stop the Bleed and basic first aid.

As her career evolved, Carol found herself returning to EMS work with Frontier Ambulance. During that time, conversations with local leaders and first responders revealed a troubling reality: Many communities in Fremont County were underprepared for mass casualty and mass mortality events. Rather than accepting the status quo, Carol began meeting with local officials, emergency managers and first responders, attending trainings and tabletop exercises, and asking critical questions about preparedness.

That work ultimately led her back to the Red Cross.

Today, Carol serves as the Relationship Management & Disaster Cycle Services Community Partnership Lead. Her focus is community outreach, engagement and education, with a special emphasis on building partnerships and expanding access to resources in underserved areas. She is currently training with the Disaster Action Team, recognizing the urgent need to build local response capacity in a county that has historically relied on responders from other parts of the state.

Carol’s commitment to service extends well beyond Wyoming. She has supported disaster response efforts following the Nashville, Tennessee floods and the Butte Fire in California, helping organize volunteers, distribute food and supplies, and support shelters and resource hubs. Those experiences left a lasting impression.

“To see a community come together in times of crisis is the most beautiful thing,” she said. “Neighbors helping neighbors. Leaders rolling up their sleeves. Even something as simple as handing out water can make a huge difference.”

For Carol, volunteerism is not about recognition. It is about responsibility.

“There is comfort in knowing that when someone calls 911, help is on the way,” she said. “The Red Cross is that next layer of response. We all work together, and our communities need to understand that connection.”

Her advice to anyone considering volunteering is simple.

“Find the one thing you can do and do it well. Many people doing one thing is far better than one person trying to do everything.”

If Carol’s story inspires you, consider becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Whether your passion is disaster response, preparedness education or community outreach, there is a role for you. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find your one thing and help make your community stronger.