The GLAMoms Meet a Mom this week is Abbey Wright-Gettes – the Senior Volunteer Recruitment Specialist with the Red Cross Michigan Region.
She and her husband live locally with their two boys.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Abbey recently, and she is absolutely delightful—funny, quick-witted, and incredibly knowledgeable. In the YouTube link below, she shares valuable insights about blood donation, including where to donate, tips for overcoming fear or apprehension, and the many other impactful ways the Red Cross supports communities year-round at local, national, and international levels.
**Fun Fact:** Did you know that when the Mackinac Bridge closes due to weather, the Red Cross often steps in to assist stranded travelers by providing shelter, warm meals, and other essential support? They truly are a lifeline for our community in unexpected situations!
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms, Abbey! We are glad you are here! 🙂
Please introduce yourself, where are you from, where do you reside now, where you went to school, etc? Please give us an overview of all things Abbey!
Hello! I’m Abbey and I am so excited to be here with GLAMoms! I am originally from Northville but live in East Lansing now. I have also lived in Washington D.C. and Bangkok, Thailand. My undergraduate education was with Eastern Michigan University and I am a Certified Nonprofit Professional. I am currently studying for my Masters in Public Administration at the University of Michigan – Flint.
How did you and your husband meet?
We met working on a political campaign in SE Michigan. He worked as the field director and I worked in finance. We dated long distance after he moved to Washington D.C. until I joined him in 2010 and then decided to move back to Michigan a few years later.
How old are your children?
Jack is 4 and Orson is 3!
What do you think is one of the best parts about being a mom?
I love getting to see my kids’ personalities develop. They are starting to grow into themselves and are so imaginative and excited about everything. Seeing things I love through their eyes reminds me why I love it.
What is a piece of advice for new moms you wish you would have known when you were a new mom?
It’s ok to make sure your baby/toddler is in a safe place (like their crib) while you take a breather if you need to calm down. I get overstimulated easily and sometimes I need to step outside away from the crying and noise to regulate.
What is something you would share with a mom who has even younger children!
I sometimes have to remind myself that this is a season of life and I will be able to do more on my own once they are older. But I’ll never get this time back so I try to enjoy it, even when I have to decline plans with friends.
Please share about what you do at the Red Cross!
I am a Senior Volunteer Recruitment Specialist for the Michigan Region. I’ve been with the Red Cross for almost 6 years and I love it! I recruit mainly for our Biomedical and Communications departments for volunteers but also help out with Disaster Cycle Services, Service to the Armed Forces, and International Services. I do marketing, outreach, and create strategic partnerships to help fill positions with amazing, qualified volunteers!
I also had an interim opportunity this year to work with our National HQ and help to manage the Charity Streaming team. We work with gamers and other streamers to use their platforms to raise money for the Red Cross. It was really cool to mix my love of video games with work!
What do you wish more people knew about the Red Cross?
People are always so surprised to learn everything we do!
We are known for blood donation and disaster response but we also provide emergency communication for military members and assist them to come home in the event they need to, we have volunteer teams that work to reunite refugees in Michigan with loved ones they may have lost contact with, we also provide community education on disaster preparedness and free smoke alarm installation.
All of this is possible because of our amazing volunteers and blood donors. We use profits from the donated blood to fund our programs.
Anything else you would like to share about ways to help? Especially this time of year?
This time of year we are in need of volunteers who are interested in deploying for national disasters. The commitment is 2 weeks and all expenses are paid by the Red Cross. I totally understand that 2 weeks is a hefty ask so we do have other positions available that are more flexible!
Soon we will need volunteers who can act as recovery caseworkers to assist those impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton get connected with resources. This is the next step once people start moving out of our shelters. This position is great because it is very flexible and done virtually.
Any upcoming events?
We have a volunteer appreciation party at the Lansing office (1800 E. Grand River Ave.) on Saturday December 21st and I am encouraging anyone to come and join to meet some of our current volunteers and learn about what they do! The event is from noon – 1:30 pm.
Also, every spring we have an event called Sound the Alarm where we work in teams to install free smoke alarms in homes. If you are interested in a one-time volunteer opportunity we would love to have you! Check out www.redcross.org/sound-the-alarm to learn more.
Is there a master blood drive link?
The search by zipcode is the best way to find blood drives near you. We also have a blood donor app that is pretty cool. It will remind you when you are eligible to donate and show you where your blood is being sent.
Donating blood is so incredibly important. We cannot manufacture it and blood has a limited shelf life so we must keep the supply open. In my office in Lansing we have a lab in the back that stores blood and whenever I see empty shelves it is truly terrifying. The holidays are notoriously slow for blood donation so if you can find time between holiday shopping and cooking we need you! If anyone is scared to donate I’ll come with you. Just reach out to me.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give
If for whatever reason someone cannot donate, what other options may be available?
There are lots of things you can do! Volunteer, donate financially, or host a blood drive.
Here are a couple questions to get to know you better 🙂
And how do you take your coffee? 🙂
Best thing I ever bought was an espresso machine, not a Nespresso, but an actual espresso maker. I love cold brew if I buy it out, but if I’m making it at home it’s espresso with frothed milk and homemade vanilla syrup. The Maple Oat creamer from Trader Joes is pretty amazing too.
Last book you read or favorite podcast?
I’m a huge sci-fi and fantasy fan and I am currently working on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion which is the story of the beginning of the world of Lord of the Rings. I also drive a lot for work and LOVE audiobooks. I’m listening to Iron Flame right now. When I’m not reading for pleasure I’m knee deep in PDFs for grad school 🙂
If you celebrate Christmas, are you team real or team artificial tree?
I’m sadly very allergic to pine so we are team artificial tree. I do love burning pine scented candles to try and replicate the atmosphere but it’s not the same. Anyone have a recommendation for a good pine candle?
What children’s books do you enjoy reading to your boys?
There is a series of books called “Hi Jack” by Mac Barnett and Greg Pizzoli and one is Jack Blasts Off. It’s so much fun to read and it’s even more fun because my son’s name is Jack!
We also love the Amelia Bedelia books. She is a maid for a household and takes everything so literally. When the homeowners ask her to draw the curtains instead of opening them she sketches a picture.
Where are some of your favorite places to spend time with your family?
We love walking to campus and watching the marching band practice. My kids are OBSESSED with the MSU marching band. The Meridian Township Farmers Market, Tink’rLab, and Impression Five Science Center are regular visits on our calendar. We also love attending Capital City Comic Con every July at the Lansing Center.
Abbie Wright-Getty truly captures the spirit of the Red Cross—kind, knowledgeable, and always ready to help. Her tips on blood donation and the ways the Red Cross supports communities both near and far are such a great reminder of how much good we can do, especially during the holidays.
Whether it’s donating blood, volunteering, or just spreading the word, there are so many ways to make an impact. Thanks so much for joining us as this week’s GLAMoms Meet a Mom, Abbie, and for sharing your time and insights with us.
We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
How do you prefer readers to connect with you if they would like more information?
Email – [email protected]
Instagram – @abbeythegreat
LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/abigailwrightgeddes
For more information about the Red Cross – both local and national information, visit the Red Cross website: redcross.org/
Abbey assisted GLAMoms with information about Hurricane relief eerier this fall. Just one of many services the Red Cross provides – disaster relief! If you missed it, visit 5+ Ways to Help HERE!
Meet a Mom Sponsor information:
Today’s Meet a Mom featuring Julie Pingston was brought to you by Boji Group.
Boji Group specializes in Private-Public Partnerships, has offices in both Lansing and Birmingham and is headquartered in downtown Lansing.
Did you enjoy learning more about Abbey Wright-Geddes, Red Cross Michigan Region and ways to help?
Click on any of the images below to learn more other AMAZING moms features!
