By Harriet Vanderbilt, Oregon Trail Chapter Volunteer

“The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others."

Ghandi’s philosophy on giving fits Dick Vardanega perfectly. Dick has a gift for giving that defines his life. Unassumingly, he mirrors Winston Churchill’s belief that, “we get to make a living; we give to make a life."

Humble and soft-spoken, Dick modestly recounts his volunteer background. His Red Cross experience began in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Although he had previously taken Red Cross classes, the devastation he witnessed on television sprung him into volunteer action. His first job took place on “a Saturday at Washington High School, assisting New Orleans evacuees.”

In the same year, Dick was elected to the Oregon Trail Chapter's Board of Directors. “My boss was looking for volunteer Board opportunities. The Red Cross was perfect because I was already volunteering there." He is now serving his second three-year term.

In addition to serving on the Board, Dick is a member of Disaster Action Team (DAT) 1. As with all teams, each member is on call once every eight weeks. Although his professional life precludes his ability to be nationally deployed, Dick regularly assists with local disasters.

“A heart-wrenching event was the Roseland Apartment fire in July," Dick recalls, as he thinks of the reactions of the 22 displaced elderly residents. "The horrific tragedy turned their lives upside down and the DAT operated above the normal procedures," he says. "We spent many hours with the victims and they even let us into their apartments to collect their things.”

DAT and Board of Director volunteer work only scratches the surface of Dick’s involvement in the Red Cross. He routinely donates blood, usually six times a year. “I come in just about every 56 days, after I receive a reminder call." Dick also participates in the bone marrow program, although he has yet to be called.

“Volunteering is a duty. Everyone needs to give back to the community," Dick says. “I wish I had more time to work for the Red Cross. I'd love to go on a three-week deployment, but I'll have to retire first!"