We’re gearing up for Valentine’s Day by highlighting some of the amazing couples throughout our region who share the love of volunteering for the American Red Cross.

Married for 30 years, Geri Hall and Dave Pasinski give of their hearts together as Red Cross volunteers. They are active in a variety of roles including Spiritual Care and Health Services. For them, volunteering provides a sense of gratification for what they have and a responsibility to share.

That sense of sharing became evident when Geri, who already helped out with other organizations, asked Dave how she might join him at the Red Cross. She had always supported Dave’s volunteering and wanted to be more involved. 

Being more involved led to deployments, assisting with Red Cross disaster relief operations locally and throughout the country. During those shared assignments, it’s especially helpful for them to be together. “We support each other in very long days with very emotional environments,” Geri says. Dave describes the deployments as “significant and bonding” for them as a family.

As a family they would recommend any couples consider the kind of experiences they share in volunteering for the Red Cross. The mutual support and the ability to reflect on the experiences together have been invaluable to them. Geri says it is “worthwhile and enriching” for her and even challenging or difficult times leave an imprint on her. Dave adds, “Volunteering helps one to have a connection to the world, to appreciate what we have and feel a responsibility to share.”

Volunteers are involved in every aspect of the Red Cross mission and constitute well over 90 percent of our workforce! Our vital work is made possible by people just like Geri and Dave who want to make a difference in the community.

As a volunteer in the Eastern New York Region, there are many you that can make an impact with your time and your talents. Visit our website to learn more and to apply.

Written by communications volunteer Bobbie Krukowski