Red Cross: Community responders provide lifeline amid 2025 emergencies
Donate at redcross.org to support disaster survivors, hospital patients and military families
Donate at redcross.org to support disaster survivors, hospital patients and military families
WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 17, 2025 — As disasters surged across the U.S. in 2025, community responders became a lifeline for thousands needing shelter, food and emotional support.
In a powerful display of humanity, volunteers — who make up 90% of the American Red Cross workforce — joined forces with community partners to care for families overwhelmed by the most destructive winter wildfires in California, devastating flooding in Alaska, increased tornadoes across the Midwest, and severe storms and flash floods nationwide. Thanks to donor support, the Red Cross also put over $130 million directly into the hands of tens of thousands of households, helping families rebuild their lives after this year’s disasters and last year’s hurricanes Helene and Milton.
This financial assistance also extended to people recovering from home fires — which spike nearly 20% during the holidays, when cooking and heating fire risks are higher. In a typical November and December, some 40,000 people nationwide rely on the Red Cross after home fires, accounting for 1 in 5 home fire survivors helped year-round.
“Emergencies don’t take a holiday — and neither does the Red Cross. Every day, with the support of generous donors, our volunteers bring comfort, hope and lifesaving help to people facing their hardest moments,” said Trevor Riggen, president of Red Cross Humanitarian Services. “This season reminds us what truly matters: caring for one another. Whether it’s responding to disasters, providing blood for patients, supporting military families or teaching lifesaving skills, these everyday heroes step up to help strangers in need. Together, we show the power of compassion and community — and that’s the greatest gift of all.”
This Giving Tuesday and holiday season, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or schedule a blood donation. You can also volunteer to give the gift of time.
Watch this video to hear from some of the families we helped in 2025.
More from 2025: How People Helped Hospital Patients, Military Families and Global Communities
About GivingTuesday:
GivingTuesday is an annual event dedicated to boosting radical generosity, held on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Created in 2012 at New York’s 92nd Street Y, the idea behind GivingTuesday was to set aside a single day to give back. Over 13 years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires millions of people to donate, volunteer and spread awareness. For many nonprofits, funds raised on GivingTuesday serve as an important kickoff for year-end charitable campaigns.
About Our Corporate Holiday Supporters:
The Red Cross is grateful for corporate partners who contribute to our Holiday Campaign. They include our national 2025 partners Choice Hotels, Circle K, Citi and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thanks to the generosity of these and other supporters, the Red Cross is able to bring help and hope to people across the country. To learn more about our corporate holiday supporters, visit redcross.org/HolidayPartners.
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.