Tag Archives: Red Cross Volunteer

Local Ohio Red Cross volunteer honored in D.C. with Presidential Award for Excellence

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By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer

“The main reason that I chose the Red Cross was that they were strong on the humanitarian part, of one person helping another person, human to human. I’m big on that.” – Michael Foote

March 3, 2026. Washington, DC. Michael Foote (center) accepting his
Biomedical Services Employee Excellence Awards 2026
Photo by Victoria Hurley/American Red Cross

Michael Foote, a volunteer with the Western Lake Erie Chapter of the American Red Cross, was recently awarded the Presidential Biomedical Award for Excellence in a ceremony that took place at the Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Michael first learned of the American Red Cross while serving in the Navy as an aircraft electrician, where the Red Cross ensured the delivery of urgent messages between sailors and their families while they were serving overseas.

After serving 20 years, he retired from the Navy and later became a caregiver for his wife, who suffered from dementia.  After her passing in 2015, he contemplated how he could utilize his free time, as they had no children or grandchildren.  One thing he did know was that he wanted to volunteer. 

“The main reason that I chose the Red Cross was that they were strong on the humanitarian part, of one person helping another person, human to human. I’m big on that.”  Michael explained.  “In the Navy, there is the team concept – like the idea that there are a lot of different parts to the Red Cross, but they’re one team.  So, I wanted to have a small group of like-minded individuals that I could relate to.  The Red Cross has become my second family.”

He started by volunteering as a Blood Transportation Specialist and quickly became one of their most dependable drivers, often picking up open shifts, covering call-offs, and training new volunteers.

“I found out that in the afternoons to pick up the blood, they were paying 60 to 70 dollars for their courier to do that,”  Michael explained.  “It’s 13 miles total, and it takes me an hour and a half.  For me, I feel selfish sitting around watching TV when I could be saving the Red Cross those 60, 70 dollars, so I do that 5 days a week.” 

In 2025, Michael worked 414 Transportation Specialist shifts, totaling over 1,000 volunteer hours and saving the Red Cross an approximate $55,000 in courier fees.

In addition to working 4 to 5 days per week transporting blood products, he also volunteers for many other Red Cross programs, including the Sound the Alarm events, where volunteers install smoke detectors in homes. 

He also joined the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) due to his military background, where he has participated in flag and wreath-laying events.  Through the SAF, he’s also worked with a local Air National Guard group and the Red Cross to help set up their food pantry.

Most recently, he started with the Disaster Action Team, who respond to fires, and is already a supervisor, fulfilling 2 to 3, 12-hour fire call shifts per week.

When asked how he manages to work so many hours, he chuckled, saying, “I tell people I’m on Red Cross time.”

He’s well aware of the comments people have made, such as “sometimes it seems like he sleeps here.”  Others have worried that he is working too hard. 

To that, he responded, ”I’m a volunteer, and I volunteer for this.  If I need time off, then I’ll tell them I can’t do this.  But I should be the one who says what I can and can’t do.  If I’m physically and mentally able to, I want to keep doing these things.  I would feel selfish not to when I know some jobs need to be done and (there’s) nobody else to do them.”

“Part of it is that I’m a Christian,” he continued, “and I want to share the kindness around me, and the other part (is) about helping humans.”

To learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross, click the link HERE, or visit http://www.redcross.org.

The family disaster that launched one volunteer into action

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By Ryan Lang, Red Cross Board Member and volunteer

Brian Glasscock, Red Cross volunteer

“Being able to see the immediate impact the Red Cross can have when someone’s going through one of their worst experiences – that’s what’s kept me going for the past six years.”

For Brian Glasscock, it was personal when he started volunteering for the American Red Cross. He was still living in California and his family was forced to evacuate their home due to a wildfire. That was the moment Brian decided he wanted to help people in similar situations.

Brian’s been a part of the Disaster Action Team since he began volunteering six years ago. He’s moved up to Coordinator for Summit, Portage, and Medina Counties and serves as the Disaster Response Supervisor for the region.

“When the Red Cross shows up, something is going really quite wrong in someone’s life,” Brian said. He knows – he’s been there and he’s seen the impact the Red Cross can immediately have in those moments. It’s why he does it.

Brian has since found many other perks in his volunteer work. “Being a disaster volunteer with the Red Cross has helped me learn to communicate with diverse groups of people. It has exposed me to the richness of Northeast Ohio,” he said. “Volunteering for the Red Cross has opened up a whole new lens to the community I live in.”

But like many Red Cross volunteers, Brian has a full-time job – one that requires him to travel quite a bit. How can he fit in volunteering on top of everything else? “You can do a shift every weekend, or even every other weekend,” Brian explains. “With the Disaster Action Team, you can do both – have a career and give back to the community by volunteering with the Red Cross.”

To find out how you can volunteer with the Red Cross or other ways to help, click here!

Monica Bunner finds meaning, adventure, and fuel for the soul as a Red Cross volunteer

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By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

A truck navigates through areas devastated by Hurricane Ian, some previously inaccessible, arriving at a Florida camp. People of all ages and backgrounds wait, others emerge from their homes. Many are migrant workers. American Red Cross personnel, among them Monica Bunner, had worked with community members to ensure those here, like all who needed aid, receive it.

Monica Bunner, American Red Cross volunteer, in Florida after Hurricane Ian

As Monica opens the truck’s doors to distribute supplies from the Red Cross and partner organizations, she notes people’s expressions. Faces convey the realization they have not been forgotten; that people care. Monica describes the feeling as what Red Cross founder Clara Barton must have experienced caring for soldiers—, as fuel for the soul.

This was during Monica Bunner’s third deployment of 2022; her second to Florida after Hurricane Ian. She estimates she has deployed around 20 times since joining the Red Cross in 2017. Based in the Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley chapter, she also serves in several capacities here in Northern Ohio.

I am often awed by the dedication, caring, competence, and experience of fellow Red Cross volunteers and staff. I recently spoke with Monica, who brings a lifetime of volunteerism, caring, and dedication to her work with the Red Cross.

Monica has volunteered throughout her life. Even before joining the Red Cross, her activities included helping people in women’s shelters, caring for animals, working with national organizations, and serving on local zoning boards. Her work helping animals is what brought her to the Red Cross.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Monica was deployed with an animal welfare organization where she worked alongside Red Cross volunteers and decided to join.

Monica Bunner, Red Cross volunteer

Monica has since helped a tremendous number of people in many roles, including the three 2022 deployments. The first was to Puerto Rico in a disaster technology capacity role, where she assisted with flooding and helped prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.

Shortly after Ian, Monica deployed to Florida to supervise family reunification efforts. She spoke of the intensity of helping families reach loved ones, many of whom had medical issues. As several areas were not reachable, she worked with search and rescue personnel, a realtor, and others to help locate people. Monica described connecting the dots and reunifying a family as elating and sharing in the joy.

After taking a short break to celebrate her 32nd wedding anniversary, Monica returned to Florida and worked with community partnerships and engagement, particularly with Latino communities, as she is bilingual. She, her team, and partner organizations worked to reach those in need who may not have realized assistance was available. This deployment was when she brought supplies to the camp.

Monica said adventure has always been part of her approach to life, as well as a love of learning, and the Red Cross offers both. She said her Red Cross work is an opportunity to go out and do good with like-minded and like-hearted people. It also offers the ability to align belief with actions and fuel the soul.

For those interested in volunteering, Monica pointed out there are opportunities for all ages and backgrounds, but to be flexible as each deployment is different, and to “Go for it!” Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer