by Amanda Waddell, American Red Cross
If I could volunteer my life away, I would.
Seriously.
Spending time prioritizing service to the community, to my neighbors, to the world, is the dream. Until I can spend all my hours and days working with nonprofits, I have to pick and choose which organizations can be that priority amidst the rest of my life.
About 5 years ago, a dear friend, Kathy Dill (still a Red Cross volunteer) began working with the Red Cross as a part of the Vista program. Kathy is one of those friends that you see and hear their heart through actions, and I began watching her fall in love with the Red Cross. After a few years of Kathy working there, I began asking questions. Everything that I loved about her was reflected in her answers and the work that she was doing. Everything was done out of respect and compassion for humanity.
Still, I wanted to know more. My time was so limited – between being a single mom and already volunteering for 2 other nonprofits, I didn’t know if adding another piece would fit. But I did begin to ask more questions, pay attention to the work that our local chapter was doing, and truly listen to what Kathy was saying about her work.
Then, one day, as I was doing some of that listening, I realized that my work, my day-job in marketing, could seamlessly align with the Red Cross. I write for a living, and I promote businesses that I believe in, so why not marry those two worlds? Through the Public Affairs arm of the organization, I found a way to volunteer with this beautiful, humanity-driven organization that has served millions of people around the world.
Me. One single person in Loveland, Colorado has been able to step into a role that is truly part of something bigger. Really big, actually. With more than 600 local chapters and over 500,000 volunteers, the support is unending. And I am just as valued and important as my dear friend Kathy, any volunteer, any employee.
For now, volunteering with the Red Cross has completed the service circle in my life. I am active in 2 other nonprofits that hold special places in my heart, but I see now that the Red Cross encompasses all of the principles that I strive for in that work, and in my life – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. True gratitude abounds.
