By David Rupert, American Red Cross 

Her only tool was a pair of plastic tongs, but as she stood behind the serving line at the Pathfinder Park Events Center shelter in Florence, Colo., Erika Fortin felt satisfied. She was providing comfort and stability to her community when they needed it most.

Erika was more than happy to find a way to contribute to efforts on the home front while her wildland firefighter husband was working the very fire that forced her friends and neighbors out of their homes.

Erika isn't alone. When a disaster strikes near home, it's natural to look for a way to help. While financial donations are important for disaster relief, volunteering offers a direct connection to the mission.

When Kianna SaPereira heard about fires rolling through the nearby mountains, she wondered if she could help as a new nurse. She applied, was quickly approved and enrolled in a short orientation meeting and a couple of other medical-specific sessions.

"I was scheduled for my first shift within a week," Kianna said. "It was great to connect with the medical side of the Red Cross, and it made me excited to extend my free time to help out more with the organization."

Some assume they don't have enough free time or the skills to make a meaningful difference. The American Red Cross has developed a local community volunteer program that removes many of these barriers by offering flexible volunteer opportunities that accommodate a wide range of skills and schedules.

"People think joining the Red Cross means committing two or three weeks of your life,” said Red Cross Volunteer Experience Manager Dana Goldsmith. "But that's not true. You can give an afternoon or a few hours. Whatever you have, we'll make it count."

This was on full display during the response to the Aspen Acres Fire. Roughly 111 volunteers filled nearly 300 shifts — many contributing just one or two short stints. They staffed shelters, served meals, comforted evacuees and distributed supplies.

Having so many local volunteers was a huge help to the Red Cross, as it otherwise would have had to augment its staffing with volunteers from around the country at greater expense.

According to Dana, some volunteers signed up on Monday and were working in shelters by Wednesday. This is part of a rapid onboarding process that includes an application, matching volunteers to positions, processing background checks, providing necessary training and placement. The process usually takes no more than five days.

Chip MacEnulty is a recently retired schoolteacher who was looking for something meaningful to do with his time. When he learned that the Red Cross was seeking volunteers, he knew it would be a good fit.

Working around his personal schedule, the Red Cross found three shifts for him to work at two different shelters during the Aspen Acres Fire.

“They were great about working around my availability," he said. "I plan to work with the Red Cross more. I don't have a lot of money, but I do have time."

Chip encourages others to step up. "You can be present. You can be available. You can listen. Anyone can do that."

The Red Cross has found that offering people the opportunity to help often leads to ongoing engagement.

"I started with the Red Cross after watching the Waldo Canyon Fire and feeling helpless," Dana said. "I didn't have any particular skills. I didn't know how I could help. Many people feel that way. But I decided to give my time. Almost anyone can offer time, and it matters just as much."

Today, many critical Red Cross functions can be performed entirely from home, enabling people with limited mobility, transportation challenges or busy schedules to contribute meaningfully.

Virtual volunteer roles include making phone calls to people affected by disaster to assess immediate needs, providing administrative support, entering and analyzing data, monitoring weather and providing computer-based operational support.

"I want our local community members to know that you can give whatever you have, and it still has value," Dana said. "We will find a way to connect you with the mission." 

Get Started Volunteering Today 

You don’t need to wait for a disaster to happen nearby; you can become a Red Cross volunteer today. Start by submitting an application on the American Red Cross website. From there, applicants can explore volunteer roles, choose ones that suit their interests and schedule, and start training soon after.