In this week's Giving Every Tuesday, March is Red Cross Month, and along with highlighting the incredible efforts of the American Red Cross (ARC) Guam Chapter, we also want to shine the spotlight on three of its volunteers who will be recognized at th an upcoming volunteers heroes event taking place in Honolulu. 

Meet Diane Gee, Tish Borja, and Margie Nicolas.

“Our mission with the Red Cross is to alleviate human suffering and providing comfort and care,” said Gee. 

Gee, has been an ARC volunteer for five years, recently assuming the role as Regional Program Manager for services to the armed forces. She said it was her husband that inspired her to become a volunteer.

“When we lived in Iowa, he was a disaster services volunteer and so he responded to natural disasters, fires and such. When we moved to North Carolina, I just fell in love with what he was doing. I got a degree in fire services and management and it just fell into place for me. It's that drive for me to give back,” she said. 

Gee added, “Helping those who need it. It's what drives us.”

For Borja, who has been a volunteer for four years, her desire to give of her time started during the COVID-19 pandemic and was a result of an accidental sign-up.

Borja said, “I was in AmeriCorp and we took a psychological first aid training with American Red Cross and I got a call congratulating me from Hawaii for signing up as a volunteer. It's one of the best accidents I've ever had.”

“Every minute that I have that I can volunteer to help our island, and our community, has been very precious to me,” Borja added. 

Nicolas started out as an employee with ARC but when she left, she has continued as a volunteer since 2014, loving the mission of the organization.

“The Red Cross has so many things that they can do to help the community and I love helping other people and helping with lifesaving skills because I teach first aid and CPR,” said Nicolas. 

She added, “I’m proud to be in the American Red Cross, that's how it is. Because all this help that we can give out....that is whyIi will never leave the American Red Cross.” 

For these passionate volunteers, what would they say to encourage others to give of their time?

Gee said, “Look at your heart. It's there. The need for it is right there. Really look inside and give what you can give. The Red Cross has so many ways you can give. There's something that fits with everybody…we accept all kinds of hearts…if you are looking to help, just take the leap. Just do it.” 

Borja added, “It’s just a few minutes of your time and that few minutes of your time makes a huge difference in someone's life. It's not an hourly commitment or weekly commitment, it's the time that you have to be a part of the American Red Cross and we value that. It's an asset to us.”

Nicolas also added, “The good thing about being a ARC volunteer, you just don't go out there and help, we train you from the basics. All the volunteers are trained- services, natural disaster response, how you will take care of yourself...they are  prepared to go out and help other people.”