VOLUNTEER CORNER: Judy & Mike Welder

Judy and Mike Welder, married 42 years, have both volunteered for the Red Cross for the past seven years on the Disaster Action Team. They’ve gone together to four national disasters, while Judy has gone to an additional three by herself.



Why do you give your time to the Red Cross?

We were both individually affected by the Minot flood in 1969, when other couples helped us out by taking us in and providing food and shelter.  When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, we responded and started paying back the kindness and courtesy those couples paid to us.



What is your greatest memory with the Red Cross?

Judy - When I was in Houston, handing out canned chicken at a low income area, a couple came up to us with cards their young children had made for us. On the cards were drawings of the Red Cross truck with kids all around receiving treats, and written in Spanish the card read, ‘Thank you for not letting me die.’ It still makes everything we do worth it.

Mike – Mine is driving the truck and while dropping off food at the shelters, I always keep a stash of cookies and candy for the kids. Meeting them and handing it out is what I enjoy.



Why should others volunteer with the Red Cross?

The enjoyment and personal fulfillment to serve others is always better than to receive. You really can’t explain what it does for you until you experience it.



What are some of the recent events you have helped with?

This past summer, I was able to help in Minot, my hometown, after assisting in Bismarck earlier. Helping feed the people in both locations was very fulfilling, especially in my hometown, where I had my first experience with volunteer assistance.