By Mimi Teller/American Red Cross

Deploying as an American Red Cross volunteer in the wake of Hurricane Helene requires a special kind of person. With a rising death toll and over 20,000 homes destroyed, it takes a hero to fly from Ventura County, California, into North Carolina’s disaster-ravaged communities to answer the urgent plea for help. I recently learned that one of those heroes is my soon-to-be in-law, Chuck Shapiro.

At a family gathering a few weeks ago, Chuck and his wife Suzie proudly announced their decision to become Red Cross shelter volunteers in the Central Calfiornia Region. As a former Red Cross volunteer and now a full time employee in Los Angeles, I was thrilled. Knowing family members were joining the ranks of volunteers felt like a passing of the torch—a continuation of service central to my life.

Chuck was already deployed in North Carolina when I found out, so I didn’t get the chance to share tips from my own five national deployments—like what to pack for shelter comfort. Last night, he sent me a text from the staff shelter where he was staying, reflecting on the whirlwind of his first few days.

At 68 years old, Chuck hadn’t imagined this would be part of his life. Despite a 44-year career at Lockheed Martin filled with high-pressure moments, nothing had prepared him for the emotional weight of disaster shelter work. His decision to volunteer was inspired by stories from family members, including me, who had shared deployment experiences. Now, he was living it.

"Walking into the shelter for my first shift, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension," Chuck wrote. "I’d managed large teams before, but here, the stakes were different—people in need of compassion, displaced by disaster." 

Chuck found himself on 12-hour shifts alongside seasoned volunteers like Judith and Bob, who became his mentors. Their calm guidance helped him balance shelter management and emotional care for the displaced families. Two first-time volunteers, Kevin and Marie, were also in the same boat and the three bonded quickly, supporting one another through the intensity of their roles.

Chuck shared stories of resilience, like two elderly women who had survived for days floating on a mattress after floodwaters overtook their home. Their will to endure touched him deeply, giving him strength to push through the exhaustion and discomfort of the job.

He admitted he hadn’t thought about the practical discomforts of deployment—the small cot, lack of coffee, and the absence of home comforts. But these minor sacrifices were overshadowed by the purpose he felt. 

As Chuck pondered the remainder of his deployment, he knew the challenges would continue, but so would the rewards. Every day offered new lessons, new opportunities to connect with others and new ways to make a difference. Chuck’s first Red Cross deployment had already changed him and he knew he would carry these experiences with him long after the deployment was over.

With that final thought, Chuck ended his text to me. I imagine at that point he closed his eyes for a hard-earned rest, readying to face another day of service. 

As we prepare our beloved niece to marry Chuck’s wonderful son, the joy of this union has taken on far greater meaning for me. I’m gaining a family member who also understands that every small contribution matters and in the end, that’s what volunteering for the Red Cross is about, making a difference, one deployment at a time.

About the Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.