February 14, 2024
By Andy Martinez, volunteer writer
 

In the heart of Louisiana, where the warmth of Southern hospitality meets the spirit of volunteerism, there is a powerful couple whose commitment to each other, and their community, is nothing short of inspiring. Meet Caroline and Bill Golden, a duo whose love story transcends their 33-year marriage and includes a shared journey of compassion and service with the American Red Cross.

Caroline and Bill are originally from Michigan and Tennessee, respectively, and have called Louisiana home for many years. After high school, Caroline came to Louisiana while Bill came after college.

"We met through Caroline's brother, who attended college with me in Memphis," said Bill. The couple, proud parents of two sons and grandparents to a lively grandson, decided to make the most of their retired life by giving back to the community.

After committing to a year and a half of diligent service, they started their journey with the Red Cross in September 2022. With Bill's technical expertise and Caroline's innate tendency toward caregiving, they were a perfect match for the Disaster Action Team (DAT).

"We felt that the DAT Team was where we could have the most impact," said Caroline. Caroline and Bill's roles within the Red Cross are as unique as their personalities. Caroline's empathy and ability to relate to clients make her a natural caregiver, while Bill, with his technical prowess, efficiently handles the intake process during DAT responses. Together, they form a dynamic duo that navigates the challenging moments of assisting clients who have just experienced loss.

"We do well together interacting with clients who've just lost everything and are in shock. Caroline does very well at relating to and empathizing with clients, while I get the intake done," said Bill, emphasizing the importance of their collaboration.

For Caroline and Bill, summarizing a typical day is a difficult task because each day offers fresh challenges and chances to help. Their schedule is constantly changing, involving everything from responding to DAT calls to installing smoke alarms and attending different events.

"There is no typical day. We may not do anything with the Red Cross for several days, and other times we will be busy all day long or multiple times in the same day," explained Caroline.

One of the challenges the couple faces is the high demand for smoke alarm installations.

"Smoke alarm installations are a challenge. As quickly as we install alarms for clients who’ve requested them, more requests come in, and the backlog grows," said Bill. Yet, these challenges are met with resilience and determination, knowing the impact their work has on making homes safer.

Reflecting on a particularly memorable moment, Caroline shares an instance where a DAT call interrupted their plans to attend the LSU-Alabama game in 2022. Despite the temptation to continue on their way to the stadium, the couple turned around to assist a family in need.

"We helped a family in need and then listened to the rest of the game on the radio. We missed the game of the year but did not regret it," recalls Caroline.

Approaching Valentine's Day, Caroline and Bill don't have specific Red Cross-related traditions, but they remain available for any Red Cross needs on that day, just like any other. Their commitment to volunteerism is seamlessly woven into the fabric of their relationship, grounding them and reminding them of their blessings.

The Goldens emphasize the significance of planning time away from the Red Cross and informing supervisors of availability when juggling volunteer commitments with personal obligations. When it comes to couples who are thinking about volunteering together, their advice is to strike a balance between working together and individually, forming bonds within the Red Cross team, and discovering new methods to further the cause.

As they envision their continued involvement with the Red Cross shaping their future, Caroline and Bill express the profound impact volunteering has on their relationship.

“It'll continue making us a stronger couple through assisting others and supporting our community, helping us appreciate our own blessings and family more," said Bill.

In the heart of Louisiana, where love takes on the form of action, Caroline and Bill Golden stand as a testament to the transformative power of commitment, compassion and service. The Golden Duo not only enriches the lives of those they serve but also shows the true spirit of love in action.

If you'd like to volunteer on our Disaster Action Team (DAT) like Bill and Caroline, click here.