Michael J. Mixon is an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer through RSVP Northern Virginia. He recalls, “I was working full-time as a systems engineer until early 2019 when my work transitioned to four-day weeks. With the extra free time available every week, I was motivated to spend time serving my community. My wife encouraged me to seriously consider joining RSVP Northern Virginia. I took her sound advice, joined the program, and have been active for 6 years.”

He adds, “I want to provide a shoutout to RSVP Northern Virginia. Stacey Iden, the RSVP Northern Virginia program manager, and her staff provide RSVP volunteers with invaluable assistance, motivation, and countless opportunities—big, medium, and small—to invest their time, passion, and expertise.

Through AmeriCorps Seniors and RSVP Northern Virginia, Mike primarily volunteers with the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross, where he serves as the coordinator for the Chapter’s specialty vehicle program, which includes responsibilities for the readiness and operations of two emergency response vehicles, one mission response vehicle, and a roster of over 30 qualified drivers—mostly volunteers but some employees. He also serves as the Chapter’s primary trainer for specialty vehicle drivers. He says, “When a local, regional, or national disaster strikes, I mobilize Chapter vehicles and drivers to respond as needed.”

In addition to his work with specialty vehicle operations, Mike also provides international humanitarian law instruction to the public. He explains, “In this role, I help community members—who may at times find themselves or their loved ones in war zones around the world—understand legal rights and protections granted to them under international law. In doing so, I’m able to help the U.S. fulfill treaty obligations under the 1949 Geneva Conventions.”

As part of his American Red Cross service, Mike was asked to support the August 2021 emergency evacuation of U.S. and Afghan citizens from Afghanistan. “I served on the feeding team at the Emergency Repatriation Center near Dulles International Airport,” says Mike. “It was my privilege to support this historic humanitarian mission.”

In addition, Mike helped with Hurricane Helene crisis response efforts in 2024 by supporting the mobilization of 12 specialty vehicles and drivers from across the American Red Cross’ National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region (including his Northern Virginia Chapter). He explains, “These specialty vehicles and drivers deployed to serve afflicted communities in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. This was an all-hands-on-deck effort to bring much-needed humanitarian support to fellow Americans suffering from widespread devastation.”

In reflecting on his favorite aspect of volunteering, Mike says, “Volunteering in my community provides me with countless opportunities to meet and work with great people who strive to improve the well-being, safety, and resiliency of their communities. Volunteering in my American Red Cross disaster response role allows me to serve and comfort people who, many times, are facing the worst day of their lives.”

Offering advice to someone who may be considering AmeriCorps Seniors, Mike says, “RSVP Northern Virginia is just one example of many great AmeriCorps Seniors programs within Virginia. I recommend you check out the AmeriCorps Seniors programs in your area. You will not be disappointed!“