(WBRE/WYOU) — Volunteers at the American Red Cross are mobilizing for nearly twice as many events today as they did a decade ago, and the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is expressing a dire need for more disaster volunteers.
Two incredible volunteers from Pike County who have been volunteering for many years are hoping that by sharing their inspiring stories, more people will look into volunteering.
Jane and John Hoopingarner started volunteering for the Red Cross 13 years ago. Since then, they've seen many places and met hundreds of people who needed help.
"We have deployed nationally about 70 times, from Hawaii to Maine, from British Columbia to Puerto Rico, probably 20 different states in various roles," John told 28/22 News.
One of those roles includes members of the Disaster Action Team, where they are meeting and helping people when all hope seems lost.
"The people in the shelters come with no resources, and so you work with them for days or sometimes weeks, and suddenly, doors open where they have a home, they have a safe place to go. I mean, you can't help but do a happy dance then because you have been part of that recovery. It's their plan, but you've helped them develop that," John explained.
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After more than a decade of working with the Red Cross, the Hoopingarner's find the most fulfilling part to be giving someone a shoulder to lean on.
"To me, it's knowing that I made an impact on someone's life when they had no idea what to do, where to go, how to find help, and so that really has impacted me as well as the clients, hopefully," Jane said.
The Hoopingarner's want people to know that the rewards of doing such meaningful work are visible, and they have been since the moment they got involved all those years ago.
"You look back, and you think, that made such a difference in that person's life. They were hopeless, and we gave them hope, and that's really what carries you on," said John.
To learn more about how you can get involved, you can visit the Red Cross's website for more.
