National Volunteer Week: Red Cross Honors Volunteers Who Continue to Serve During Crisis
National Volunteer Week is April 19 to 25, and the American Red Cross serving Northwest Washington honors its volunteers who are helping people in need, even during the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emergencies don’t stop, and neither do local Red Cross volunteers, who are still providing care and comfort after disasters of all sizes, including home fires. In March alone, Northwest Region volunteers helped 240 individuals affected by these crises.
Due to this coronavirus outbreak, volunteers are providing relief services after home fires virtually, in coordination with local fire departments. Connecting with families by phone or video calls, we’re helping to provide support like lodging, health and mental health services, and emergency financial assistance, as well as link people to available recovery resources.
From Snohomish County, through the islands and up to the Canadian border, 435 people volunteer with the Red Cross by providing emergency assistance to military families, responding to home fires in the middle of the night and so much more. These individuals are also among the more than 300,000 volunteers who comprise more than 90 percent of the national Red Cross workforce.
“Red Cross volunteers keep our communities strong,” said Alex Dieffenbach, Northwest Region CEO. “We honor these true heroes who give their time to help people in need.”
BECOME A VOLUNTEER Our need for volunteers is constant and continues to evolve as we navigate this coronavirus health crisis. Volunteer opportunities include joining a Disaster Action Team to provide casework to individuals after a disaster. Also, Duty Officers, a work-from-home position that supports much-needed disaster services to your community. Find out more.
Interested in serving? Everyone’s safety is our top priority. Please review Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your healthcare provider and follow local guidance.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.