Debra Ryon, a resident of Evergreen, Colorado, has spent the last four years dedicated to helping others through her volunteer work with the American Red Cross. Her most recent deployment, part of her fifth Red Cross mission, took her to the frontlines of disaster relief in an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), where she played a crucial role in feeding those affected by a catastrophe.
Debra’s days on this deployment began with her team reporting to a kitchen run by the Southern Baptists. Each morning, she received her meal assignments for lunch and dinner, loaded up the vehicle with food, and set off on her mission delivering nourishment to those in need. This was not her first deployment, as she had previously answered the call for Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, the wildfires in Taos, New Mexico, Hurricane Ian in Florida, and the atmospheric river floods in California. Despite the number of times she’s deployed, each new mission brings a unique experience.
While Debra has encountered many memorable moments over the years, it was her time in Louisiana that stood out the most. During her deployment in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, she provided mobile feeding services to neighborhoods where residents were working hard to repair their damaged homes. She saw some of the same people twice a day, forging connections with them through the shared experience of hardship and hope. “I got to know them a little, heard their stories, shared their pain, gave smiles and hugs along with the food,” she reflects. It was this personal connection—beyond simply delivering meals—that left the deepest impression on her heart.
When asked about her motivation to volunteer with the Red Cross, Debra’s answer is simple but powerful: “To help those in need.” Her passion for service is evident not only in her disaster response work but in her personal life. A retired U.S. Forest Service ranger, Debra stays active by volunteering in various capacities, and she enjoys spending time with her family as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Debra offers valuable advice for anyone considering becoming a Red Cross volunteer or deploying for the first time: “Be flexible, be patient with chaos and confusion, be ready for an adventure!” She knows from experience that disaster relief can be unpredictable, but the rewards of helping those in need far outweigh any challenges.
During her most recent deployment, Debra worked alongside a partner who made a lasting impact on her. “Thom Shafer from Northern Colorado was a good listener and always focused on the good we were doing,” she shares, offering a heartfelt shoutout to her colleague.
Debra Ryon’s story is one of compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. Whether she’s feeding disaster survivors or lending a listening ear, her efforts remind us all of the power of kindness in times of need.
Did Debra Ryon inspire you? Click here for more information on volunteer opportunities