Why these 2 locals love being there when disaster strikes

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Anne Riegel, volunteer with the American Red Cross. (Anne Riegel)

If a home fire, weather event or other disaster occurs, who is there to help you rebuild your life? The answer is the incredible team of Birmingham-based volunteers with the American Red Cross.

We spoke with a father-daughter duo who volunteer with the Red Cross’ Disaster Action Team to find out what it’s like, why they do it and how you can get involved too.

Meet Anne Rygiel

Anne volunteering with American Red Cross. (Anne Rygiel)

By day, she serves as Executive Director of the American Red Cross’ Mid-Alabama Chapter.

By night—or when local catastrophies strike—she volunteers with the Red Cross’ Disaster Action Team. 

“I was called to the [Executive Director] role because service to the community is my passion and it has been a long-standing dream of mine to work for an organization that has such a storied history of helping people when they need it most.” 

Anne Rygiel, Executive Director + Volunteer, American Red Cross

In her role, Anne spends her days working with the Red Cross’ lines of service, including Disaster, Biomed, Service to Armed Forces, Training and Volunteer services.

She also collaborates with Red Cross staff and volunteers on how to best serve the needs of the Birmingham community. 

Knowing she didn’t want her role with the Red Cross to stop at the end of each work day, Anne decided to become a volunteer by joining the Disaster Action Team. 

“I knew from a very young age that I wanted to dedicate myself to serving others. I grew up in Birmingham and saw early on the disparities that exist within our community.”

Anne Rygiel, Executive Director + Volunteer, American Red Cross

Explore local volunteer opportunities with the American Red Cross + apply now.

A unique volunteer experience

What’s special about Anne’s volunteer journey is that she does it alongside her dad—retired General Jim Darden. 

As a retired Army General, Jim was approached to help with the American Red Cross’ Services with Armed Forces Team.

When he saw how passionate Red Cross volunteers were, he decided to do more and signed up for the Disaster Action Team with Anne.

As volunteers on the Disaster Team, Anne and Jim go out on calls to support people who have had fires or whose homes were affected by storms.

Some ways they do this include providing emotional support, financial assistance and information to help families begin the process of recovery.

“Volunteering with the Disaster Team works with my schedule and allows me to get to know other folks in my community.

I believe everyone should give back, and the Red Cross provides multiple ways to do so.”

Jim Darden, Volunteer, American Red Cross

Working alongside his daughter is also something Jim says he’s proud to do.

How does Anne feel about it?

“My dad volunteering means the world to me. I knew when I started Red Cross that this would be a great place for him to really use his talents.

Watching him interface and bond with people is one of my greatest joys, and it makes me realize where I got my passion for people from.” 

Anne Rygiel, Executive Director + Volunteer, American Red Cross

You can become a Red Cross volunteer

Birmingham has countless volunteer opportunities, so why donate your time to the Red Cross?

“It’s the perfect place to volunteer because no matter what your passion is or your schedule looks like, there’s a place for you. 

The Red Cross values its volunteers more than any other organization I have been involved with. It’s an organization of volunteers and wouldn’t exist without the community.”

Anne Rygiel, Executive Director + Volunteer, American Red Cross

Ready to become an American Red Cross volunteer? Explore local opportunities + apply now.

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