By Josh Egbert, American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming, Public Affairs
Cindy Eldenburg first joined the American Red Cross as a volunteer at the end of 2020, and now each week she makes sure other volunteers know “the happenings” of the Colorado and Wyoming region.
“The Red Cross is one of the few organizations that is in my neighborhood, in my state, in my county and around the globe helping people,” said Cindy. “The simple mission of the Red Cross to help alleviate human suffering resonates with me at a deep level.”
For Cindy, the Red Cross has always been a part of her life, thanks to her great-grandmother Cora Rothschild.
“She spent most of her 102-year life volunteering with the Red Cross,” said Cindy. “She lived within walking distance of the San Francisco Red Cross offices and spent nearly every day for 55 years walking to the office to volunteer her time.”
Cora graduated from what is now the University of Northern Colorado in 1896 and met her husband and raised her family in Greeley. In 1922 after her husband passed away, Cora settled in San Francisco and began volunteering with the Red Cross.
“Most everyone attributed her long and successful life to her dedicated volunteer work at the Red Cross,” explains Cindy. “The lesson I learned from this is that if you want to live a long and fulfilling life, volunteer daily at the Red Cross!”
Cindy is taking her great-grandmother’s advice. After retiring from her career in the telecom and software industries two years ago, she decided to jump into volunteering. She began as a caseworker interacting directly with those impacted by a disaster.
“It was at that point I stepped back and realized my greatest skills are in supporting the infrastructure of the organization and the volunteers who do that hard work of interfacing directly with our clients,” said Cindy. “As a volunteer with Volunteer Engagement, I support Disaster Relief Operations (DROs) as staff support for both our employees and volunteers during an active DRO, and I am the Divisional Volunteer Connection Lead, supporting the software that supports our volunteers.”
Volunteers have always been the heart of the Red Cross. From the first volunteers who helped survivors of a dam break in Pennsylvania in 1889 to hundreds of volunteers providing relief and support after recent deadly tornadoes in the south, they are present for their community. Just like Cindy and Cora, giving back is what being part of the Red Cross is all about.
“I am incredibly humbled by the heroes at the Red Cross who go out and do the hard work of serving others every day,” added Cindy. “There are those in our organization who want no credit, no acknowledgment, yet serve selflessly for long hours away from home in less than hospitable conditions. I am in awe of those fellow Red Cross volunteers and am most proud of simply being a part of this amazing group of people.”
If Cindy and Cora’s story has inspired you to become a volunteer, visit our website to find opportunities in your community.