Jan 30, 2025
Cindy has been an American Red Cross volunteer for 12 years. She serves in multiple capacities, including as a public information officer, national spokesperson and chaplain.
“We have so many different functions within the American Red Cross,” said Cindy. “Volunteering is my way to give back to my community, that definition of ‘community’ being broad-based throughout the U.S.”
Cindy believes her life experiences have contributed to her aptitude to volunteer.
Originally from a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, Cindy has been married to her husband, Russ, for 44 years. They are the parents of three adult sons, with five grandchildren and counting.
Cindy was a board-certified respiratory therapist for 19 years before moving to Kern County in 1994 with Russ’s job as an operations manager and engineer for a roofing company. Through her children’s PTA, she made a professional contact that led to working as a radio personality for 11 years with American General Media, skills she still uses.
“When I retired, I didn’t know what direction I wanted to take my life,” said Cindy. “A friend suggested I volunteer with the American Red Cross. Our local radio and TV stations in town are wonderful in helping us spread the word.”
Cindy has served 45 volunteer deployments nationwide, as close to home as the Borel fire and as far away as Puerto Rico. At the time of this interview, Cindy was preparing to help with the situation in Los Angeles County.
“The American Red Cross cares for everyone. Volunteers come from every walk of life and we all have one core value: we care about people and want to help, with no judgment,” said Cindy. “Our work helps people find a connection point and move forward.”
Disaster response Q&A
Q. How can families prepare for an emergency?
A. Think through your plan and logistics. Talk together about what you would do, depending on the emergency. Designate a gathering place to meet and make sure every household member knows where it is. You are going to evacuate, with your family members, when you are told to evacuate. Decide where you would go. Visit RedCross.org for our list of shelters. Have a “go bag” packed in your home and one in your car with essentials.
Also, set aside time now to take pictures or videos of your house or apartment so you can know what you had for insurance purposes.
Q. What should the public know about the work of the American Red Cross?
A. Our volunteers also respond to private home fires and other situations at the request of the family or the fire department. Your insurance agent may not pick up the phone at 3 a.m. but the American Red Cross is 24/7. Within 24 hours of being notified, we have a volunteer caseworker asking how their needs are being met. They can coordinate access to a nurse to help replace medication, arrange for professional counseling and more.
Q. How can the public best support the work of the American Red Cross’s Los Angeles fire response effort?
Q. How do you find hope and continue volunteering after seeing so many adverse experiences while helping others?
A. It helps to have a husband who is also an American Red Cross volunteer. Additionally, I receive support from my church community at St. John’s Lutheran. I text with my pastor during deployment and with friends. I usually come home and sit for a few days quietly to reflect and write down some of the stories.
Parenting advice Q&A
Q. What advice do you have for parents raising young children?
A. Have good routines and clear expectations. Take the time to sit down and listen. Children don’t have to have the latest gadget; they just want to spend time with you. Hardest of all, have patience.
Q. What should families in the Kern County area know more about in their community?
A. Bakersfield is a hidden jewel because of the exposure to so many other people, cultures and customs. Help find your child’s passion - even when it is not necessarily yours - for sports, art, music or what they enjoy.
Q. What is your parenting PSA?
A. Love your children unconditionally.
Fill-in-the-blank questions:
I'm always laughing at… Myself.
My favorite food is... Spaghetti.
My favorite dessert is... Chocolate cake.
The best book I've read lately is... “The Art of Listening” by Erich Fromm.
So far, my best life advice is... Love one another and help each other.
