A Year in the Life of an American Red Cross Volunteer
- NEIA Red Cross
- 26 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Beth Roy
On November 13, 2024, Angela O’Leary took a major step and applied online to join the American Red Cross. As her three children reached the age of independence, O’Leary had talked with her husband about her goal of becoming more involved in local volunteer opportunities. She hoped to find a way to give back and was excited to try something new. The O’Learys made their home in Nebraska, but it was her memory of seeing the devastating floods in Asheville, North Carolina, on television that pointed her to the American Red Cross. She remembered how critical the Red Cross was in helping people during a difficult time in their lives. She was ready to accept the challenge.
O’Leary describes herself as “someone who loves to meet new people and can go with the flow.” She wanted a volunteer opportunity where she could feel she was a part of a bigger mission. She took a leap and submitted her application as a Red Cross volunteer.
Her first step as a new volunteer was to learn more about the organization. A family member had participated in a Red Cross blood drive, so she was familiar with that aspect. She soon would realize there was much more to the organization. It was her initiative in using the online resources that helped get her up to speed. She quickly began learning.
“I love the virtual training classes,” says O’Leary. “They have a wealth of information and provide training at your fingertips.”
She had the opportunity to deploy to assist after flooding in Knoxville, Tennessee. This was a completely new experience for O’Leary. After severe weather hit the area, the Red Cross provided essential services, including shelter, food, relief supplies and emotional support. O’Leary was on site for two weeks, assisting as part of a team organizing and dispersing needed supplies. As she met other Red Cross staff and volunteers, it affirmed her decision to step forward.
“The Red Cross is so caring,” she says. “They are in it to help people in need.”
She looks forward to more deployment opportunities.
Her initial volunteer experience led her to explore other opportunities within the organization. O’Leary, who lives in Alliance, Nebraska, knew that in more remote areas of Nebraska, many individuals were not as familiar with the Red Cross. She took the initiative to provide outreach by setting up a table at a county fair. This gave her hands-on experience talking to people about the Red Cross and answering questions. It also allowed fair goers to understand more about Red Cross services and potentially volunteer themselves.
Today, O’Leary works very closely with Rachelle Lipker, Executive Director of the Central and Western Nebraska Chapter. O’Leary’s current role is the Senior Volunteer Partner to the Executive Director.
“Angela has made a significant and positive impact in the American Red Cross, particularly in her role of senior volunteer partner,” Lipker says. “She demonstrates a strong commitment to professional growth by actively seeking new skills, participating in local meetings and contributing to volunteer recruitment efforts.”
O’Leary spends approximately 15-20 hours per week volunteering, which fits her schedule nicely. She has a weekly call with Lipker and shares that Lipker has been incredibly helpful in answering questions and creating opportunities for her to meet with key individuals.
“Angela’s engagement in these activities has enhanced the organization’s ability to effectively serve the broader community,” Lipker says.
Working as a volunteer partner has been a positive experience. O’Leary says she has been treated as an equal in the organization from the beginning, and it certainly is a team atmosphere. She met a variety of people, which was exactly what she had hoped to do.
As she starts her second year as a Red Cross volunteer, she looks forward to continuing to fulfill the Red Cross mission in 2026.
“This has been the experience of a lifetime,” says O’Leary. “Red Cross allows you to help people and experience things you wish you would have done sooner.”
O’Leary will continue to have new experiences and opportunities as an American Red Cross volunteer. She is thankful she made the decision a year ago to be part of the organization.
If you are interested in trying volunteering, learn more about this and other volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteer.