Myka Green, spouse of an active-duty Marine and daughter of a Navy veteran, rejoined the American Red Cross this year to deepen her commitment to the military community through its Services to the Armed Forces program. Her dedication earned her the November 2025 Volunteer of the Month recognition for San Diego and Imperial counties. Green's work at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton highlights how personal ties to service members drive sustained volunteer efforts amid ongoing demands on military families.
Roots in Military Service Fuel Red Cross Commitment
Green's path to volunteering reflects her family's military legacy. Tuition-free education at UC Berkeley through her father's benefits and a scholarship for military spouses that trained her as a medical assistant shaped her gratitude. "Giving back to this community is very meaningful to me," she said. "Volunteering with the Red Cross, especially the SAF, feels like an impactful way to pay that forward."
She first engaged with the Red Cross in 2014 during a summer break, traveling to Japan to support the Japanese Red Cross. There, she promoted blood donations at train stations and interned in blood processing centers. The organization's global reach drew her in: "The Red Cross and Red Crescent are truly ubiquitous, offering support to communities around the world." This early exposure revealed diverse roles suited to varied skills, aligning with her background as a military family member.
Hands-On Roles Strengthen Hospital and Family Ties
At Camp Pendleton's Naval Hospital, Green serves multiple shifts weekly in the Patient Relations Department, aiding service members, families, and veterans. She supports the Red Cross Medical Professional Volunteer team, informs hospital staff about SAF behavioral health programs, deployment resources, and Women, Infants, and Children opportunities. Fellow volunteers praised her in the nomination: "As both a military spouse and future physician, Myka brings empathy and professionalism to every interaction."
Her contributions extend to onboarding the WIC program at the hospital and delivering emergency support. She staffs the Hero Care Center, follows up on emergency messages, and joins base events to promote WIC. Community outreach includes Sound the Alarm and Save a Life initiatives for emergency preparedness. These efforts address persistent gaps in military support systems, where families face deployment stresses and health needs.
Aspiring Physician Sees Lasting Community Impact
Accepted into medical school, Green aims to become a physician serving the military. Her hospital observations reveal understaffed departments needing professionals. "My goal is to remain active with the Red Cross and eventually return as a volunteer physician," she said. A pivotal moment came at a spousal event, when a woman described how Red Cross emergency messages enabled her husband's leave during deployment and how WIC aided her family.
"Hearing firsthand how the projects I was involved in had a tangible, meaningful impact was incredibly rewarding," Green recalled. She values the organization's reach and its people: passionate volunteers who inspire service. Shoutout goes to supervisor Angela Fie for guiding her toward roles matching her physician goals. To newcomers, Green urges joining: "Volunteering here allows you to contribute while also being recognized for your efforts."
Green's recognition underscores the Red Cross's role in bolstering military resilience, a vital thread in national service networks where volunteers bridge institutional gaps for families under strain.
