Kauaʻi Red Cross 2023 Volunteer of the Year deployed to Wisconsin to help Afghan refugees

In September 2021, Kauaʻi Red Cross volunteer Matthew Crane was asked to deploy to Wisconsin to help with the resettlement of Afghan refugees.

The Afghans, including many families with children, had just fled their home country during the United States’ withdrawal of troops. Most feared for their lives as the local government was being overrun by the Taliban.

At U.S. Army Fort McCoy, Crane worked for two weeks to distribute comfort supplies, including blankets and personal hygiene items, to the thousands of refugees housed at the base.

For this deployment — and for twice helping to set up and staff emergency shelters and other work on Kauaʻi — Crane was selected as the Kaua’i Red Cross 2023 Volunteer of the Year.

On Monday, Crane was among the Red Cross volunteers honored at a ceremony at the Līhuʻe Civic Center. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami presented him with a proclamation for his service.

The Kaua’i Red Cross team also received a proclamation for its service.

On Friday, Crane also will be honored at the Red Crossʻ Heroes Event at the Kauaʻi Beach Resort. Kawakami and several Kauaʻi County Council members are scheduled to attend.

“A loyal volunteer, Matthew is always willing to help out wherever needed, even rearranging his schedule to meet the needs of the moment,” said Padraic Gallagher, director of the Kaua’i Red Cross.

Gallagher said Craneʻs contributions include helping with logistics and becoming the only volunteer qualified to drive Red Cross emergency response vehicles.