By Ashley Henyan
As National Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close on October 15, the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region is proud to be a part of the rich Spanish heritage and tradition in the United States and even more proud of the extraordinary staff and volunteers who mirror the diverse communities we serve.
Over the past 30-days, the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region’s Latino Engagement Team has been busy bringing Red Cross preparedness information to communities across The DMV. Diana Altamar, a Red Cross volunteer since 2019 and the Regional Latino Engagement Lead, helped organize each of the three events.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to connect with others,” said Diana. There is something nostalgic about the Hispanic culture. It is strong, and we are connected at the roots.”
And connecting with the community is exactly what Diana and her team of Red Cross staff and volunteers did. In partnership with the United Wesley Methodist Church in Alexandria, VA; La Fiesta Latina event in Wilmington, DE; and La Comunidad Hispana in Frederick, MD, they educated community members on available Red Cross services, offered ways to get involved with the Red Cross as a volunteer or blood donor, and provided important safety tips to help each family become better prepared for emergencies and disasters.
“These events were about more than the Red Cross and emergency preparedness,” Diana continued. “This was an opportunity to build trust—especially when community members see a face, and that face is speaking Spanish.”
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, upon moving to the DC metro-area Diana was immediately drawn to the mission of the Red Cross.
“Hispanics and Latinos have strong communities, and we care about other people. So does the Red Cross—so it aligns. I joined the Disaster Action Team as a volunteer, right away.”
National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. And the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region witnesses these contributions every day as volunteers, like Diana, provide comfort to disaster victims, teach lifesaving classes, support military members and their families, and donate blood for hospital patients in need.