Be a Hero – Become a Red Cross Volunteer Now

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Sandra Arthur of the American Red Cross helps to load an Emergency Response Vehicle in Baton Rouge LA that will bring meals to families affected by Hurricane Laura. Red Cross photo by Scott Dalton.

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Red Cross nurse Helen Caves of Indiana talked with shelter client Grace about her health conditions and the state of her home while providing her a safe place to rest in Cedar Rapids. Red Cross photo by Dennis Drenner.

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Ed Miller of the American Red Cross talks with Henry and his children Genesis, 19 months old, and Isaac, 2 months old, at a Red Cross shelter in Alexandria, LA after Hurricane Laura forced them to leave their homes. Red Cross photo by Scott Dalton.

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Shelter residents Tia and her sons Kris, age 9, and Michael visit with Red Cross disaster responder Emily Holley in a Red Cross shelter in Iowa after the recent Derecho. Red Cross photo by Dennis Drenner.

September 10, 2020

In the midst of this extremely active wildfire and hurricane season, right now as many as 3,000 American Red Cross volunteers are helping the thousands of people affected across the country.

The Red Cross depends on dedicated volunteers to help us support people impacted by emergencies and with the current disasters and the complexities of COVID-19, more help is needed now. Will you be a true hero and help your community? Become a Red Cross volunteer.

Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn about our most-needed volunteer positions. They include:

SHELTER HELP NEEDED Train now to be a Red Cross shelter volunteer so you can answer the call when your community needs it most. There is a special need for people to support sheltering efforts. Because of COVID-19, the Red Cross is placing those needing a safe place to stay in emergency hotel lodging when possible. If hotel stays aren’t possible, then the Red Cross will open traditional shelters.

We need volunteers to staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available.

HEALTH SERVICES SUPPORT NEEDED If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with an active, current and unencumbered license, the Red Cross needs your support. Volunteers are needed in shelters to help assess people’s health. Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks.

Roles are also available for Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Home Health Aides, student nurses and medical students. We need volunteers who can provide care as delegated by a licensed nurse in shelters. This could include assisting with activities of daily living, personal assistance services, providing health education and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies.

VOLUNTEER FROM HOME (Virtual Positions)
You can even help from the comfort of your own home. In times of disaster or social isolation it can be difficult for people to leave their homes to volunteer in the community. Even while staying home, there is opportunity to support the Red Cross mission virtually. We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities in which volunteers can engage remotely.

More information is available here. Be sure to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and the people we serve.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.