If you think you are too busy to volunteer with the American Red Cross, take a look at Allison Shelby. The seventeen-year-old high school senior from Jonesboro, Arkansas, has fallen in love with the organization and is constantly spreading the message to her fellow teenagers: Becoming a Red Cross volunteer allows you to really make a difference in your community.

When asked why her volunteer work with the Red Cross is so important, she quotes Coretta Scott King: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

Allison first became involved with the Red Cross after her beloved “PopPop” passed away.

“During the last few months of his life, he needed a blood transfusion weekly. If it wasn’t for the Red Cross I wouldn’t have had as much time with PopPop as I did. I am forever grateful and I want to give back because of how much the American Red Cross gave me.”

To honor PopPop Allison organized a blood drive that doubled the goal for the day. “I donated blood for the first time — but not for the last time!” she said. “It was an emotional but rewarding day.”

Since then she has become deeply involved day-to-day as a Red Cross volunteer. She meets regularly with Kristin Pendleton, Volunteer Services Recruitment Representative, and helps out by answering emails, putting up promotional flyers in local businesses, and setting up information tables at events to promote the American Red Cross.

“She’s one of the most incredibly enthusiastic advocates for us,” Kristin said. “I’m in awe of how much this high school student is doing.”

“I also make social media posts to help reach other kids my way,” Allison said. “A lot of my day-to-day work is finding ways to reach others and using my resources to help others.”

The way young people interact with their world has changed dramatically over the past few years, and volunteers like Allison are the key to attracting the next generation of Red Crossers. Wesley Smith, Missouri-Arkansas Disaster Workforce Engagement manager explains how young people like Allison are remaking the Red Cross.

“Youth and young adults are initiating current trends in volunteerism — these volunteers are seeking project-based, episodic opportunities. They are choosing to do so because their volunteer efforts genuinely move the needle each time they serve. A 2020 Morning Consults report shows that Generation Z's most-loved nonprofit is the American Red Cross.”

Allison is also a contestant in the 2023 Miss Arkansas Teen USA competition and hopes to use that platform to tell the Red Cross story.

“I want to win and use the title to really further my outreach from the American Red Cross to all of Arkansas, hopefully to inspire others to host blood drives in every region of the state. I hope to first educate people on the blood crisis, then educate about what the Red Cross really does and recruit volunteers. I hope to not only make an impact, but make a difference that lasts forever.”

After graduating high school this spring, Allison plans to attend Ole Miss and major in political science, then attend Tulane University to obtain a law degree. Asked about her career goal, she said, “I want one day to be Arkansas Attorney General!” But no matter what, she plans to keep volunteering with the American Red Cross forever.

“I have absolutely fallen in love with the Red Cross. That’s why I am now a lifetime volunteer. I may not know where life is going to take me, but I know I will always be part of the American Red Cross family.”

The world has changed in many ways, but the Red Cross mission remains the same — to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers. To carry this vital mission forward, the Red Cross needs young volunteers like Allison Shelby, volunteers who are motivated by the mission, consumed by a passion to serve, and skilled in the ways this new world works. Discover the many ways you can become an American Red Cross volunteer by visiting http://www.redcross.org/become-a-volunteer.