Top New Year's resolution: Volunteer to help your neighbor

Need for emergency support across region continues during COVID-19

By the American Red Cross, Western New York Region

As the New Year brings the tradition of resolutions, consider helping people in need as an American Red Cross volunteer. During this coronavirus pandemic, families continue to depend on volunteers every day. While many Red Cross volunteers are helping others at the scene of disasters, numerous opportunities are available – including virtual roles – to support of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.

“Just knowing that someone is there to lend a helping hand during these trying times provides a light of hope for our neighbors,” said Alan H Turner II, Regional Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross, Western New York Region. “Please join us and resolve to help your community as a Red Cross volunteer to ensure that no one faces life’s emergencies alone.”

How to Help

The need for volunteers is constant. During this pandemic, the well-being of all is our top priority as we work with public health officials to safely deliver services. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more and locate some of our most-needed positions in the Western New York region: 

√ Blood donor ambassadors and transportation specialists: Blood donations are essential to the health of our communities, and blood donor ambassadors are a vital part of this work by welcoming visitors and taking their temperatures before entering Red Cross facilities and blood drives. Visitors could include potential blood donors, people seeking help, training course participants, and Red Cross employees and volunteers. We also have a high-priority need for transportation specialists to help deliver blood from our facilities to local hospitals.

√ Disaster response volunteers: Most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to are local home fires, which can destroy nearly everything a family owns in a matter of minutes. Partnering with local fire departments, Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers connect with families by video or phone call to provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.

√ Volunteer from home, virtually: Help from the comfort of your own home through a wide range of virtual opportunities, including as a disaster onboarding coach or Service to the Armed Forces Hero Care Network caseworker, among other roles. 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.