
Harold West is part of a unit of Service to the Armed Forces volunteers deployed to Europe to support our troops. The Red Cross helped him in Vietnam during the war and now he gets to help the next generation of soldiers. American Red Cross photo by Brad Zerivitz
During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross recognizes those who make our lifesaving mission possible — including our remarkable volunteers, who represent 90% of our workforce. When people face what can be the worst time in their lives, Red Cross volunteers step up to help people get the relief and care they need.
This annual celebration began 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt first proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to raise awareness of the organization’s critical humanitarian mission. Our work today is powered by volunteers, financial and blood donors, community partners and people trained in vital health and safety skills.
ONE VOLUNTEER’S STORY Harold West recently deployed to Poland on behalf of the Red Cross as a member of Team 50 — a unit of Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces personnel. He and his colleagues are deployed for three to four months to 10 Army installations around the globe.
West went into the Army right after high school. He was one of the last group of folks who had draft numbers and quickly found himself on the ground in Vietnam. West says that it was a good experience for him, but during that tour, he learned that his brother-in-law passed away.
“That’s when the Red Cross contacted me. They helped me out quite a bit and offered support. I never forgot it,” he said.
West says that he never forgot about that event in Vietnam. Now that he’s retired, he wanted to see what he could do to help the next generation of soldiers. “This has been a life-long dream of mine, to serve in this capacity,” he said.
He anticipates that emergency care messages will be a critical component of his deployment. “It’s important that we are there during the worst of times,” he said.
If a family experiences an emergency, the Red Cross will verify that emergency and work with unit commanders to notify the service member. If leave is granted from the command, the Red Cross works with military aid societies to help get the soldier home, serving as a link between home and the military.
“We keep everyone together because it really does help,” he added.
JOIN US We need you. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn how you can make a difference in one of our most-needed positions. Below are a few of our most critical positions:
OTHER WAYS TO HELP You can join our Red Cross Month celebration in other ways too:
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.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.