JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The American Red Cross and Base Retiree Activities Volunteer Office at Joint Base Andrews play a significant part in the success of the mission of the Malcolm Grow Medical Center and other medical units on the installation.
These BRAVO volunteers, comprised mostly of retirees eager to "give back" to the military which they feel gave them so much, contribute by providing their time to any organizations in the medical family that may require some extra help.
Red Cross volunteers at the 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility donate their time to tend to wounded warriors as well as work with other medical offices and at the MGMC front desk.
"At the 779 ASF, we work directly with the wounded, ill and injured warriors coming in from deployments overseas," said Elsie Smolarsky, 779 ASF American Red Cross volunteer. "We welcome them home and give them any food or water they may want when they first arrive. We then direct or escort them to their rooms where Airmen then check their health signs."
BRAVO volunteers work in multiple offices around the MGMC providing services such as secretarial duties, answering phones and questions, logging or checking patients in and out, and other tasks.
"We started out working at the front desk," said William Moore, BRAVO coordinator. "But soon it grew to working at various places that needed people."
The volunteers from both organizations lend the MGMC staff members help that they need while they juggle multiple missions - from greeting and caring for wounded warriors to acupuncture or even cardiology patients.
"It is an honor and a privilege to work with dedicated men and women," said Maj. Joey Paskevicius, 779 ASF flight commander. "Their tireless mission of providing safety, comfort, and hope facilitates the healing process to our patients and provides our wounded warriors with the Hero's Welcome home they deserve. The Red Cross truly makes a difference [and] I applaud each and every one of them."
The BRAVO volunteers, though consisting of about half of the volunteers as that of the American Red Cross here, continue to contribute to the Joint Base Andrews medical mission success through their volunteerism.
"The [BRAVO] volunteers at MGMC possess many talents," said Col. Hildegarde Stewart, 779th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "They are extremely valuable in providing support to our essential operations at the medical center. We are very proud of the help they give us each and every day."
To volunteer with the American Red Cross, call 240-587-6008. To volunteer with BRAVO, call William Moore at 240-857-8971.