VOLUNTEER CORNER: Jan and Bruce Brooks

Jan and Bruce Brooks, married 21 years, have been involved with the Red cross in various capacities for the past ten years. These include military support answering service, answering phones on hotlines during disasters, assembling Red Cross winter survival kits, making and providing food for disasters and more.



Most memorable / Favorite Volunteer Opportunity?

Bruce – While working with the Military Support Answering Services, where results of the calls are unknown, one particular serviceman stopped in the office to thank the Red Cross for helping contact him while overseas, as he was able to come home during a family crisis, and he was thankful for it. Knowing the system succeeded was rewarding.

Jan- While working at the call center during Hurricane Katrina, a fellow driving his car in Florida called and was frantic. After speaking with him he kept thanking me, as he was very grateful that someone would listen to him. Sometimes people forget things they know. Being able to talk with them a bit and helping them calm down, they realize they know how to do things. It’s just giving them an ear to listen.



Why should others volunteer?

Initially, we volunteered because we were new in town and it was a way to meet people, but since volunteering it has been very rewarding to be in a position to help other people. It gives us the opportunity to share some of the blessing we have had in life, and the hope that we are able to help others get through rough spots.



Why is it important for you to volunteer together?

Working together was accidental, but we think it’s a good idea. It lets us use our time constructively, gives us friends in common and we get to meet great and interesting people.