Fall Into Service: Red Cross volunteers needed

As more people rely on the Red Cross for help, the need for compassionate volunteers throughout South Carolina has never been greater.

As the season changes, what a great time to consider how you can change a life. This autumn, we invite you to Fall into Service with the American Red Cross by volunteering. Volunteers in the South Carolina Region for the American Red Cross responded to many historic disasters both locally and throughout the nation in the last twelve months. These dedicated volunteers have served communities dealing with floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires in back-to-back disasters.

“People are very thankful when they see us,” said Gary Sulz, a Disaster Action Team volunteer from Conway, South Carolina who deployed to two disasters this year. “I think if you have the time and you want to help somebody, volunteering with the Red Cross is a great idea. It’s well worth it.”

Severe weather is part of a worsening national trend in which the American Red Cross has responded to nearly twice as many large disasters across the country as it did a decade ago. Volunteers make up about 90 percent of the American Red Cross workforce, helping to make it possible to provide immediate support to our neighbors in time of need.

As rapidly intensifying, weather-related events pose serious challenges to our humanitarian work and the people we serve, the Red Cross has announced an ambitious national plan to take urgent action. With more climate-driven disasters upending lives and devastating communities, the organization is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity across the country.

In the South Carolina Region, this includes training volunteers on how to respond to disasters locally and across the country. The South Carolina Region of the American Red Cross responds to these disasters and an average of six home fires every day in the state. The Red Cross is asking for help.

Priority volunteer positions needed in South Carolina:

• Blood Transportation Specialist Volunteer Transportation Specialists deliver life-saving blood products from Red Cross distribution facilities to hospitals, using a Red Cross-owned vehicle.
• Disaster Action Team: You can help comfort and support people in your community in times of emergency by meeting their immediate needs such as food, shelter, clothing or supplies and connecting them to long term recovery services.
• Recovery Care Caseworker: From a single-family fire to large-scale hurricane or flood, the Client Care Program meets the needs of individuals and families with casework and recovery planning by matching Red Cross resources and assistance to these needs.
• Shelter Service Associate: During large disasters, you can support the day-to-day activities within a shelter which may include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or other areas within a shelter.
• Disaster Health Services Team: During large disasters, you can use your professional skills as a licensed healthcare provider to deliver hands on care and education to shelter residents.

All Disaster Volunteers receive training to respond to the scene of home fires and other disasters. Volunteers provide emotional support, safe shelter, vital supplies, emergency assistance, and information to help families begin recovery. To learn more about opportunities and sign up to volunteer, go to www.redcross.org/volunteer.

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossSC.