Connecting Passion to Purpose: Micaela Duarte Helps Volunteers Create Lasting Impact

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By Anna Kumor, Red Cross Communications Volunteer For Micaela Duarte, volunteering is not about filling shifts — it is about helping people discover how their time and talents can create real change. As a Volunteer Recruiter, Micaela connects people to meaningful opportunities that strengthen communities and build long‑term engagement with the American Red Cross. Originally … Continue reading Connecting Passion to Purpose: Micaela Duarte Helps Volunteers Create Lasting Impact

Jeff Martin: A Heart for Service

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From disaster responses to community events, Jeff’s dedication shows how one volunteer can make a profound difference in a short amount of time. By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Volunteer After retiring, Jeff Martin knew he wasn’t ready to slow down. He wanted to do something meaningful — something that would let him give back to … Continue reading Jeff Martin: A Heart for Service

Darrin Hughes: Fire Battalion Chief Turned Dedicated Red Cross Volunteer

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“For me, the gratitude that I get out of volunteering is being able to help the victims of disasters, whether it's small or large.” Darrin Hughes By Andrea Manokian, Red Cross Communications Volunteer Battalion Chief Darrin Hughes began his fire service journey in 1991 with the San Joaquin Delta Fire Department near Stockton, CA, before … Continue reading Darrin Hughes: Fire Battalion Chief Turned Dedicated Red Cross Volunteer

Something Bigger Than Yourself: 13 Years of Service Through the Eyes of Leanna Carskaddon

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By Alison Votaw, Red Cross Communications Volunteer When Leanna Carskaddon, Senior Volunteer Recruitment Specialist at the American Red Cross, looks around a room full of Red Cross volunteers, she can barely get through a speech without getting emotional. Leanna is constantly amazed by the local volunteers who constantly show up for their community every day. … Continue reading Something Bigger Than Yourself: 13 Years of Service Through the Eyes of Leanna Carskaddon

Finding Adventure Through the American Red Cross

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Susan Lugo has always sought out new adventures. Just four days after graduating high school in the Central Valley, she joined the United States Marine Corps to see the world. For four years, she learned resilience, teamwork and the joy of being part of something bigger than herself. That same spirit carried her to the … Continue reading Finding Adventure Through the American Red Cross

The Greatest Gift: Lori Kleiman Finds Joy in Serving Others

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By Mason Hodges, Red Cross Communications Volunteer As the holiday season approaches, many of us reflect on what matters most — family, community and the spirit of giving. In Ventura County, Lori Kleiman embodies all of these values. Known for her compassion, creativity and calm in the face of crisis, Lori wears many hats: full-time … Continue reading The Greatest Gift: Lori Kleiman Finds Joy in Serving Others

Serving with Purpose: Bob Strojek’s Red Cross Legacy

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By Andrea Manokian, Red Cross Communications Volunteer No matter how long someone has been a Red Cross volunteer, chances are they’ve heard of Robert “Bob” Strojek. With nearly a decade of service to the American Red Cross, Bob’s journey began when then-Disaster Program Manager Kurt Russell attended a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) class Bob was … Continue reading Serving with Purpose: Bob Strojek’s Red Cross Legacy

From Guerrero to California: Jesús Sotelo’s Quiet Revolution of Service

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By Alvaro Martinez and Mason Hodges, Communications Volunteers Click here to read this story in Spanish When disaster strikes, Jesús Sotelo doesn’t hesitate — he acts. Born in Acapulco, Guerrero, México, Jesús grew up in a community where music, faith and service were deeply woven into everyday life. In the 1980s, he and a group … Continue reading From Guerrero to California: Jesús Sotelo’s Quiet Revolution of Service

De Guerrero a California: La Revolución Silenciosa del Servicio de Jesús Sotelo

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Por Alvaro Martinez y Mason Hodges, Voluntarios de Comunicaciones Cuando ocurre un desastre, Jesús Sotelo no lo duda: actúa. Nacido en Acapulco, Guerrero, México, Jesús creció en una comunidad donde la música, la fe y el servicio estaban profundamente entrelazados en la vida cotidiana. En los años 80, él y un grupo de amigos formaron … Continue reading De Guerrero a California: La Revolución Silenciosa del Servicio de Jesús Sotelo

Lessons Learned: Resilience in the Face of Adversity

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By Alison Votaw, Communications Volunteer Maria Stevens believes that through adversity, we build strength. Her journey began long before she joined the American Red Cross as a Community Disaster Program Manager in 2023. At just 8 years old, Maria and her family moved from their comfortable home in Mexico to Downey, California, as political refugees. … Continue reading Lessons Learned: Resilience in the Face of Adversity