PHOENIX, Ariz. — In 2025, local volunteers became a lifeline for hundreds of neighbors reeling from disasters in Arizona and New Mexico, covering nearly 235,580 square miles.

In a powerful display of community, local Arizona and New Mexico volunteers responded alongside community partners to provide safe refuge, hot meals, emotional support, and basic health services for families devastated by flooding and hundreds of home fires. The Red Cross also distributed over 1.4 million in financial assistance directly to hundreds of households recovering in 2025 from disasters of all sizes in Arizona and New Mexico.

The need for this support shows no sign of slowing down. In the U.S., Red Cross home fire responses spike nearly 20% during the holidays, when families face increased fire risks such as cooking and heating.

“Disasters don’t take holidays — and neither do our volunteers,” said Edgar Olivo, CEO, AZ//NM Region. “Thanks to generous donations, they have the resources to deliver comfort, hope, and support to help people recover. Through these simple acts of giving, we come together as a community to bring light to a family’s darkest days — right when it’s needed most.”

This GivingTuesday and holiday season, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or to give back through volunteering. You can also make an appointment to give blood or platelets. The need for blood is constant — and just like disasters, medical emergencies don’t take holidays.

• Our disaster volunteers delivered aid for major disasters across the country, including the Alaska Typhoon,  flooding in Texas and in our own Region in Ruidoso, NM as well as the Grand Canyon Dragon Bravo fire response.  Responding to disasters is a team effort, and as they become more frequent and intense, families are relying on volunteers for support. Since Wednesday, November 26^th, we have had thirteen calls for help across Arizona and New Mexico. Our Region is working within our communities to build resilience to disasters by offering preparedness classes, including hands-only CPR, installing free 10-year smoke alarms, and providing extreme heat relief messaging.
• Blood and platelet donors helped save lives in Arizona and Las Cruces, NM, and across the country, including people facing life-threatening conditions like cancer, sickle cell disease, childbirth complications and traumatic injuries. Patients rely on a consistent blood supply to survive and heal — and it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency.
• Our Service to Armed Forces volunteers and staff supported military and veteran communities in Arizona and New Mexico by volunteering in both military and V.A. hospitals. They have participated in stand-down events (serving unhoused Veterans), and signing of holiday cards for our military.
• Our International Services volunteers and staff have supported many refugees by training instructors in Restoring Family Links (RFL) is an International Services program that helps reunite family members who have been separated by crisis or conflict. 

Visit www.redcross.org/aznm for stories about how people from Arizona and New Mexico helped in 2025. 

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 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.

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