Amber Bierfreund
904-480-9830
Amber.Bierfreund@redcross.org
NCFLmedia@redcross.org

News Summary:

• Five generations of Red Cross volunteers are currently serving across 49 counties in North and Central Florida, along with the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Red Cross Month in March is an opportunity to recognize these compassionate volunteers and invite others to get involved in our humanitarian mission at redcross.org.
  
  

JACKSONVILLE, MARCH 4, 2026 — As we celebrate the annual tradition of Red Cross Month started in 1943, new data shows a snapshot of multigenerational Red Cross volunteers serving across 49 Florida counties and the U.S. Virgin Islands. From Gen Z to the Silent Generation, people of all ages comprise more than 3,500 actively engaged volunteers in the North and Central Florida Region, according to demographic estimates shared by the volunteers. The youngest active volunteer was born in 2013 and the oldest was born in 1934.

• Gen Z is the fastest-growing and largest group of volunteers (55%), driven largely by growth in student-led Red Cross Clubs. In our Region, we are proud to have 66 active Red Cross Youth Clubs with more than 1,800 members.
• Millennials and Baby Boomers are next (18% each), followed by Gen X (8%) to anchor core mission roles.
• The Silent Generation is the smallest cohort (1%), but contributes a legacy of service that often spans multiple decades.
   

“Generation after generation, our community has shown that humanity) is one of its greatest strengths,” said Christian Smith, Regional CEO, American Red Cross of North & Central Florida. “In moments when help can’t wait, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds come together to offer care, comfort and hope. Their commitment reflects a shared humanitarian spirit that connects us across time and continues to make a meaningful difference through our lifesaving mission — one that has supported families for more than half of our country’s 250-year history.”

Red Cross Month is a nationwide celebration in March to honor the people who deliver support when help can’t wait. It began as a national call to action during World War II for individuals to address growing humanitarian needs. Now, it’s a community tradition encouraging people to get with our mission.

One of the highlights of the month is Red Cross Giving Day, Wednesday, March 25. Giving Day is an opportunity for people to come together on one day to help families recover from a home fire or other disaster. Also on Giving Day, landmarks in many major metropolitan markets are illuminated red in recognition. See redcross.org/GivingDay for more.

Every day of the year, our work is made possible by volunteers — who comprise 90% of the Red Cross workforce — and generous donors who provide them with the resources to help people in need. Here are just a few highlights of our work in Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025-January 2026) in our Region:

• Disaster volunteers have responded to over 1,000 local events like home fires and floods, assisting more than 1,500 households.
• Service to the Armed Forces volunteers provided services and resources to about 800 personnel and 100 pets that were relocated to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay as powerful Hurricane Melissa made her way through the Caribbean.
• Nearly 60,000 individuals have received training in lifesaving skills through a Red Cross class like first aid, CPR/AED or aquatics and water safety.
  
  

Red Cross Month reminds us that each ordinary act can make an extraordinary difference. Visit redcross.org to volunteer, give blood, make a financial donation, or learn lifesaving skills.

About the American Red Cross of North and Central Florida:
The American Red Cross of North and Central Florida including the U.S. Virgin Islands serves 49 Florida counties through seven chapters: Northeast Florida (Jacksonville), Central Florida Coast (Orlando, Daytona Beach), Capital Area (Tallahassee), Northwest Florida (Pensacola, Panama City), North Central Florida (Gainesville), Tampa Bay; and the Virgin Islands territory of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island. For more information, please visit redcross.org/NCFL or follow us on social media @RedCrossNCFL.

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.