Volunteer Spotlight – Sharon Holt

By Sydney Diamond, American Red Cross Intern

Back in 2005, Sharon Holt was watching news coverage of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina when she saw a segment that mentioned the Red Cross and the need for volunteers. From that moment on, Holt said, “I was hooked,” as she realized she wanted to help those who were impacted by disasters and make a difference.

Fast forward to today, and Holt is now celebrating 20 years as a volunteer for the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter of the Red Cross. She’s currently a Mass Care Coordinator training other volunteers in disaster relief operations, including feeding, sheltering, reunification and the distribution of emergency supplies. Holt is also a member of the Northeast Chapter Disaster Action Team (DAT) and she is often one of the first people on the scene to provide comfort and support to families and individuals impacted by a home fire. She recognizes the importance of providing warmth to those affected. No matter how big or small the disaster, her goal is to treat everyone the same and provide comfort and support in any way she can, whether it’s by giving someone a blanket or providing a shoulder to cry on. Over the years, Holt has also deployed to disaster relief operations in Florida, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina and more. 

Holt says volunteering for the Red Cross is rewarding and makes her feel good. “Once you try it, you’ll be sucked in and you’ll want to continue volunteering,” she said. “Being a volunteer is a great way to meet wonderful people that soon feel like family,” she added.

If you are interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, learn more about the open opportunities near you by visiting www.redcross.org/local/wisconsin/volunteer.