Meet Lorrie and Andrew Monteiro— a married couple from the Florida Keys who share a passion for volunteering together at the American Red Cross. Lorrie and Andrew were born and raised in Massachusetts and have been married for 43 years. They served in the military for 32 years and retired in Key West about eight years ago.

Lorrie joined the Red Cross before her husband in 2020 and began volunteering as a Shelter Assistant. Wanting to expand her volunteer role, Lorrie joined the Disaster Action Team (DAT), a group of local, specially trained Red Cross volunteer responders who provide immediate assistance to individuals and families affected by home fires. Since Lorrie was the only DAT member in Key West, she approached her husband, Andrew, to join her. She said, “It’s great that we can work together, but also when they call us, they have two people from the same house” who can respond to a fire immediately.

As DAT members, Lorrie and Andrew respond to home fires in and around Key West. They arrive at the site of a disaster to comfort those who have lost part or sometimes their entire home. They are a shoulder to cry on during someone’s darkest hour. They provide essential items, like comfort kits, immediate financial assistance, and connect individuals with health and mental health services.

To Lorrie and Andrew, volunteering with the Red Cross is essential. It is important for them to connect with and help others affected by disasters, especially those who have lost everything. Andrew said, “The fact that the Red Cross is able to be supportive and be there in times of need from the very beginning is inspiring.” Both Lorrie and Andrew believe the work that the Red Cross is doing across the country and beyond is tremendous and feel that it gives people hope during a dark time. Lorrie said of the people she’s helped, “When they see that Red Cross symbol, sometimes there is a little bit of a smile, or it’s almost like they exhale knowing that someone is here to help them in some way.”

Having been in the military for 32 years, Lorrie and Andrew say service is essential to what they do and who they are. Andrew said, “The values of the Air Force are integrity, service, and excellence, and it is hard not to live by those values despite being retired.” While active in the military, Lorrie and Andrew volunteered in the communities they were stationed in and helped to fundraise for various causes. Andrew volunteered with the Health Department to offer medical services, and Lorrie has volunteered with multiple military family groups and the SOS Food Pantry in Key West. Andrew and Lorrie enjoy serving their community and connecting with others, especially through the Red Cross.

In addition to volunteering, Andrew, a physician, has been certified by the Red Cross in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Basic Life Support. These courses are offered by the Red Cross and teach you how to save or sustain a life. Despite not volunteering until they retired, Andrew and Lorrie said, “We have worked with the Red Cross in different capacities over the years.”

Lorrie and Andrew told us that being a Red Cross volunteer is a very rewarding experience. They believe the feeling of accomplishment you get when helping someone is far greater than the cost of actually doing it. Andrew said, “It’s a great value, and I highly recommend it for all.” Lorrie added, “Even if you are already active in your community, being a volunteer of the Red Cross ties you even closer, and I feel closer to the community of Key West.” With various opportunities to help available within the Red Cross, Lorrie and Andrew encourage others to explore the many volunteer positions the Red Cross offers.

During National Volunteer Week, the Red Cross pays tribute to nearly 300,000 volunteers, such as Lorrie and Andrew, who give back to their community in various ways. Without whom, the Red Cross would not be able to fulfill its lifesaving mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, please visit redcross.org/SFLvolunteer.

Written By Sarai Logan, American Red Cross Public Affairs