Volunteer and Charitable Donation Suggestions

The American Red Cross is dedicated to the help and support for all in need- especially in time of crisis and disaster. The following is their promise and goal for all who need their assistance.

Volunteer and Charitable Donation Suggestions: Overview

The American Red Cross helps people in emergencies every day. Whether its half a million disaster victims or one sick child who needs blood, our vital work is made possible by people like you, who learn how good it can feel to lend a helping hand.

The American Red Cross needs you!

• Various Opportunies to Help - Red Cross volunteers provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
  
• Fits Your Schedule- Your local Red Cross chapter can work with you to provide rewarding experiences, whatever your schedule.
  
• No Special Skills Required - The Red Cross needs people with all kinds of different backgrounds, talents and skill levels. And, if you need training, we'll provide it.

We Depend on Volunteers

Volunteers constitute 96 percent of our total work force to carry on our humanitarian work:

• Every year the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters-including approximately 150 home fires every day.
• About 11 million Americans turn to us to learn first aid, CPR, swimming, and other health and safety skills. Last year, more than 158,000 people volunteered to teach those courses.
• Half the nation's blood supply- six million pints annually-is collected by more than 155,000 Red Cross volunteers .
• Among our emergency services for the men and women of the armed forces is the delivery of urgent family messages-around the clock and around the globe.
• More than 30,900 volunteers serve as chairs, members of boards of directors, or on advisory boards for local Red Cross units - chapters, Blood Services regions, and military stations.
• As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Red Cross reconnects more than 8,000 families separated by conflicts and disasters around the world through international tracking services and Red Cross messages."

Don't wait another day

Find out how good it feels to wear the Red Cross emblem-contact your local Red Cross for more information right now. Or, go online-VolunteerMatch's powerful online database lets you search thousands of one-time and ongoing Red Cross opportunities by zip code, category, and date."

So, you see, there are many ways to help this organization and all aspects are vitally important to the success of the Red Cross's mission.

Volunteer and Charitable Donation Suggestions: For Teens

Yes, there is a special area designed specifically for teens who wish to be a part of the charitable cause. Below is the Red Cross commitment for teens that are willing to drop all the selfishness for selflessness. It is a wonderful way to learn responsibility and get in touch with the wonderful feelings that are derived by helping others and not only yourself.

"Build long lasting friendships while leaving lasting impressions with the people who need you most in your community. Get involved with the American Red Cross Youth Services, and find out how you can help!

With the Red Cross, teens can receive valuable training in first aid, CPR, HIV/AIDS, baby sitting, life-guarding, preparing for a disaster, swimming and water safety. They can also learn about the fundamental principles of the Red Cross and international humanitarian law or learn to organize a blood drive. Teens can participate in leadership camps and help during times of disaster in our shelters.

Volunteers have always been at the heart of the American Red Cross. In fact, for every one Red Cross employee, there are 37 volunteers! Your Red Cross provides teens the opportunity to learn new skills and reach out to their local communities and across the globe. As a Red Cross volunteer, you can organize other teens and young adults in your community by forming a Red Cross club to support national and international Red Cross programs, coordinate a blood drive program, or become part of the Red Cross disaster response team at your chapter. What ever you decide to do, there is something for you!"