FARMINGTON, Conn. — In 2025, Connecticut volunteers became a lifeline for hundreds of neighbors reeling from disasters across the state.

In a powerful display of community, local American Red Cross volunteers responded alongside partners to provide safe refuge, hot meals, emotional support and basic health services for families devastated by at least 465 home fires in Connecticut this year. The Red Cross also distributed around $820,000 in financial assistance directly to hundreds of households recovering from disasters of all sizes throughout our Connecticut and Rhode Island region in 2025.

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 Richard Branigan, CEO, American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island. “Thanks to generous donations, they have the resources to deliver comfort, hope and support to help people recover from disasters big and small. 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.

Also in 2025: How Local Responders Helped Hospital Patients and Military Families

• More than 63,000 local blood and platelet donors helped save lives in Connecticut 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.

• Volunteers responded to at least 465 local disasters so far this year, providing assistance to around 2,500 people. Through the Home Fire Campaign, they also installed nearly 6,000 smoke alarms, making close to 1,500 homes safer across Connecticut.
• Nearly 2,000 local volunteers supported communities across all lines of service—from disaster response and blood collection to training, preparedness, and military and veteran support.
• Thousands of community members gained lifesaving skills through Red Cross training in first aid, CPR, and AED. In the town of Manchester, Leon Haberski was honored with a prestigious National Lifesaving Award for using Red Cross skills to help save, not one, but three lives. His recognition not only spotlighted the power of first aid and CPR but also garnered media attention, underscoring the lasting impact of our mission. Leon was among many individuals nationwide who received this honor, inspiring communities across the country.

Visit www.redcross.org/CTYearInReview for stories about how people from Connecticut 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 our Annual Partners:

The Red Cross is grateful for our generous Disaster Responder and Ready 365 partners who allow us to bring help and hope to people in need year-round.

Disaster Responder Partners:

Avangrid Foundation • Stanley Black & Decker

Ready 365 Giving Circle Partners:

Platinum Plus: Champlin Foundation • Edgewell Personal Care • The Hartford • The ZAC Foundation

Gold: Amica Insurance • FactSet Research Systems, Inc. • Primo Brands • Travelers • Webster Bank

Silver: Community Foundation for Greater New Haven • Eversource Energy • Sayles and Maddocks Foundation • The Ernest & Joan Trefz Foundation • United Way of Southeastern Connecticut

Bronze: Albert Wadsworth and Helen Clark Meserve Fund • Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut • Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Inc. • Gen Re • Hartford Healthcare • Janci Foundation • Lena Benas Memorial Fund • Linde PLC • M&T Charitable Foundation • National Shooting Sports Foundation • Rhode Island Foundation • Robinson+Cole LLP • The Connecticut Apartment Association • The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving • The William & Alice Mortensen Foundation • United Way of Greater Waterbury

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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