From floods to hurricanes: How a Utah Red Cross Volunteer is making a difference

MURRAY, Utah (ABC4) – As we watch horrible tragedies impact our country, we know the Red Cross will be there to help.  There are nearly 2,000 Red Cross Volunteers in Utah.  They serve each day in our state but also deploy across the country helping the Red Cross help those in need.

Darlene Spencer has been an Utah Red Cross Volunteer since 2017.  She made the decision to start her volunteer journey after she saw her own friends deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Spencer said, “I knew that it was bad I knew their families were suffering.  I knew they needed assistance and that’s when I applied to be a Red Cross volunteer.”

She applied, trained and was ready.  Her training prepared her for when she was needed.

Spencer continued, “The great thing about the Red Cross is they give you the opportunity to turn your compassion into action.”

Spencer was first deployed before Hurricane Florence in 2018.  She was there waiting in the shelter to help.   She said, “The only thing I regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.  It is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life.  It means so much to me to be able to go and assist people who have gone through disasters. You can’t measure the rewards we feel as volunteers because we are the lucky ones that had the opportunity to be there for people and help them on the worst days of their lives.”

While Spencer deploys to the front lines of our nation’s disasters; she also helps here at home through the Service to the Armed Forces.

During visits to the VA Hospital, Spencer and other volunteers bring joy, comfort and a listing ear.

Spencer continued, “We need to honor our veterans and support our military because they sacrifice so much.  And if they sacrifice so much, it is an honor to be there for them.”

To learn more about how you can volunteer with the Utah Red Cross, visit their website here.