Third-Generation Volunteer, Rebecca Cartmell, Heads Disaster Response in Mason County

By Kelly Carroll, American Red Cross volunteer

Rebecca's mother 
and daughter

Rebecca Cartmell has been volunteering with the American Red Cross practically since birth. Her grandmother and mother were both volunteers, and she recalls going with her mother to board meetings and blood drives, where she took donors’ temperatures and transported typewriters into and out of the buildings. When Rebecca was young, a tornado hit her hometown of Maysville, Kentucky, and her mother helped with the recovery efforts. 

Later, as an adult, Rebecca was recruited to serve on the local Red Cross board. She was employed by the organization for a period of time. Currently, she is the Mason County Disaster Action Team Lead, a completely volunteer role. When a disaster occurs—such as a flood, home fire or storm—she contacts the people affected on behalf of the Red Cross and helps in their recovery.

Rebecca and her daughter before
a Pillowcase Project presentation

Rebecca tries to contact families within two hours, and often within 30 minutes, to “find out what their needs are and see what we can do to help.” Often, with a single-family fire (the most common type of disaster), Rebecca arrives when the fire department is still on the scene and “the people are standing on their lawn.” The Red Cross provides resources and services and also connects facilities to other organizations that can help.

Rebecca acknowledged that the grave nature of her work with the Red Cross can be “emotionally taxing,” but was quick to point out the sense of accomplishment she gets from the role. “You feel good about helping other people,” she said.

In her many years of service to the Red Cross, Rebecca has served in many ways. In addition to disaster response, she has canvassed neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms in homes, taught CPR, visited schools for “The Pillowcase Project,” a disaster preparedness program for elementary-aged children, and facilitated communication with people deployed in the armed forces.

Rebecca’s family legacy of serving with the Red Cross continues with her 33-year-old daughter, Ellen Cartmell, who currently serves on the local board and disaster action team. In the past, Ellen worked for the Red Cross in Washington, D.C., and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva, Switzerland. Through innumerable acts of service, big and small, their family has served through the Red Cross for four generations and counting!