Myka Green, a military spouse and aspiring physician, has been named November 2025 Volunteer of the Month by the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties. Her recognition celebrates tireless support for service members and families at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, emphasizing how individual volunteers bolster community resilience amid military life's unique demands.
Deep Roots in Military Service Fuel Her Dedication
As the spouse of an active-duty Marine and daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran, Myka Green's path to the Red Cross reflects a profound personal connection. She reconnected with the organization earlier this year to serve through the Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) program, which provides critical aid like emergency communications and resource referrals. Her background—benefiting from tuition-free UC Berkeley education via her father's service and a military spouse scholarship for medical training—drives her to "pay it forward."
This aligns with broader trends: military families face high relocation rates (over 50% every few years) and deployment stresses, making SAF programs essential for mental health and family stability. Green's empathy positions her as a bridge between the Red Cross and these communities.
Impactful Roles and Standout Contributions
Green's multifaceted volunteer work spans office support, program outreach, and crisis response, logging multiple shifts weekly at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. Key efforts include:
- Onboarding the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to aid military families' nutrition needs.
- Following up on Hero Care Center emergency messages to ensure families receive timely support.
- Leading awareness events for SAF behavioral health, deployment resources, and WIC opportunities.
- Participating in community drives like Sound the Alarm for fire safety preparedness.
Nominees praised her "empathy and professionalism," noting her role in strengthening hospital partnerships. Such contributions mirror rising volunteer needs in understaffed military health facilities, where Red Cross support fills gaps in public health services.
A Global Journey Inspires Local Action
Green's Red Cross involvement began in 2014 with volunteering in Japan, promoting blood donations and interning in processing centers. Drawn to the organization's worldwide reach—serving 190+ countries via Red Cross and Red Crescent networks—she found abundant roles matching her skills. A pivotal moment came at a spousal event, where a mother credited Red Cross aid for enabling her husband's emergency leave and WIC support during deployment.
Future Physician's Vision for Sustained Service
Accepted into medical school, Green aims to volunteer as a physician serving military communities, addressing shortages in hospital departments. She credits supervisor Angela Fie for guidance and highlights the Red Cross's inspiring volunteers. Her story underscores volunteerism's ripple effects: enhancing emergency preparedness, nutrition equity, and family well-being in a era of strained public health resources. Aspiring volunteers, she urges, will find fulfilling paths to tangible impact here.
