Tag Archives: Volunteers

Embarking on an Unexpected Adventure

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From training to disaster deployment, a new Red Cross volunteer experiences the mission in action.

By Lori Souza, Red Cross communications volunteer

In the most extraordinary circumstances, we find the most ordinary people willing to help others. Farshad Fallah was one such volunteer who found himself in a position to help others as a volunteer for the Red Cross. As a Finance guy by day, he was not moved by the work he was doing, and in August 2023, he signed up as a volunteer for the Red Cross. He did not expect to go from applicant to volunteer so quickly, but he was ready for whatever was next. By the end of the month, Farshad’s life would change drastically, and he would embark on an adventure he never expected. 

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Carmel-by-the-Sea Chapter: A Legacy of Community and Compassion

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Then and now: Red Cross programs and services evolve while ensuring a strong community presence. 

In the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, a chapter of Red Cross history has been penned over the last 107 years – a narrative of dedication, service and community support.

The roots of the former “Carmel Area Red Cross Chapter” began in 1916 with an inaugural meeting taking place at Carmel City Hall. Fifteen dedicated individuals were selected for the Board of Directors from a pool of 34 nominees, marking the beginning of a longstanding commitment to serving the community. 

The Carmel Pine Cone, a local community newspaper launched a year prior in 1915, has played a vital role in our history, with the second meeting of the Red Cross Chapter of Carmel announced in its pages on September 27, 1916. Founding officer Lilly Devendorf, whose name echoes throughout local Red Cross history, exemplifies the enduring relationship between the city, the newspaper, and our Chapter. 

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Six Lives Saved 

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Red Cross Free Smoke Alarms Alert Marin County Family During House Fire 

“I said, ‘A fire! A fire!  Let’s get out. Everybody get out!’” 

The Monthier family home the night of Sept. 3, 2023.

Marie Monthier will never forget what happened in the early morning hours of September 3, 2023. She and her extended family of two older adults, two adult children and two small grandchildren were asleep in their mobile home in Marin County, California. Marie got up to use the restroom and heard smoke alarms blaring. That’s when she saw a fire behind the kitchen stove and alerted her family to evacuate. 

Marie’s son, David Mardy, had just moved into his own apartment in Marin County. When his mother called him after everyone got out of the house safely, David rushed over and found the home in ruins and his family in shock. 

“The whole family was on the street, standing, looking at the house burning down. My mom said, ‘Look at my house!’ Tears started coming out of my eyes,” David said. 

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A Humanitarian Retires: A Fond Farewell to Mo Ghandehari

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It is often said that humanitarians are people dedicated to helping others, especially those in need. They work in stressful and difficult conditions. They are motivated by a strong sense of compassion and empathy and are driven by a desire to make a difference in the world.

Mo (center) with Service to the Armed Forces Directror Nikki Rowe (L) and Sr. Disaster Program Manager Ginny Ortiz (R) at his retirement celebration in October. Photo by Violet Nguyen/American Red Cross.

There can be no better example of a humanitarian than Mo Ghandehari, who will be retiring after almost a quarter century of service to the Red Cross. Mo started as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer helping people in a variety of disaster situations. His unwavering commitment and passion led him to explore other roles within Disaster Services and International Services. His exceptional dedication and leadership abilities quickly ascended him to prominent positions, earning admiration and respect of colleagues across the organization.

During his service to the Red Cross Mo displayed a depth of compassion and empathy that few can develop. Mo has also shown a high degree of selflessness as he is always willing to put the needs of others before his own. He has devoted countless hours of service to the Red Cross.

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“Pulling at Your Heartstrings”: A Volunteer Reflects on 13+ Years of Service 

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As an American Red Cross volunteer since 2010, Roxanne Anderson has deployed to more than 35 disasters across the continental United States and several island deployments including the islands of Guam in June 2023 and the American Virgin Islands in 2017. She is one of those special volunteers who has, “been there, done that.”

Roxanne has held a wide variety of jobs in her 35+ deployments, including in Georgia following a tornado in May 2011. Photo courtesy Roxanne Anderson

Roxanne, who lives in San Jose, joined the Red Cross after spending 30 years as a California Highway Patrol officer. She’s done a wide array of Red Cross roles, including disaster response feeding, sheltering, managing logistics, driving an emergency response vehicle (ERV), supply and transportation. 

States she has been sent to, in addition to her home state of California, include Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, Connecticut, Colorado, Arizona, New Jersey, Washington, North Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, US Virgin Island, Oklahoma, Florida and Guam. She has responded to floods, hurricanes, wildfires, a gas pipeline explosion and multi-structure fires, tornadoes and mass shootings. 

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Meet Tom Tanner, Regional Excellence in Disaster Services Award winner

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Photo courtesy of Tom Tanner

“Being able to make a difference,” is what motivates Tom Tanner, Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter volunteer and winner of the Regional Excellence in Disaster Services Award.

Tom is one of those unsung heroes who just does what is needed without being asked. Tom’s dedication to the Red Cross evolved from his family and his midwestern values.

“My maternal grandmother was a Red Cross Gray Lady during my youth, possibly even during WWII, who drove more than 60 miles to the nearest Army base to serve the troops and over 100 miles to donate blood regularly. My father’s aunt was also a volunteer in the 1930s, so it runs deep in my family.”

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