COVID-19 one year later: Americans step up to address families’ urgent needs
Give back by donating or volunteering on Red Cross Giving Day, March 24
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (February 26, 2021) — One year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, people have stepped up to address the emotional needs of families reeling from the coronavirus and 2020’s record-breaking disasters.
In South Florida and across the country, trained American Red Cross disaster mental health and spiritual care volunteers have had more than 53,000 conversations to provide emotional support to people in 2020 — which had the greatest number of billion-dollar disasters in a single year. In addition, trained volunteers have provided free crisis counseling through the Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center for grieving families during COVID-19.
“The past year has been overwhelming for many in our community, and yet through it all, people are caring for one another,” said Josett Valdez, CEO for the South Florida Red Cross. “When help can’t wait, they provide families with the support they need during emergencies. During Red Cross Month in March, we honor this humanitarian spirit and ask you to join us by donating, volunteering or taking a class to learn lifesaving skills.”
WHAT IS RED CROSS MONTH For nearly 80 years, U.S. presidents have proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to recognize people giving back through its lifesaving mission — which is powered by more than 90% volunteers.
They include people like Susan Gatzert-Snyder, a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist in South Florida who has volunteered with Disaster Mental Health to provide emotional support, psychological first aid and referrals to community assistance for families coping with disasters during the pandemic.
A GROWING DESIRE TO GIVE BACK A 2020 study on a rise in volunteer experiences added to LinkedIn profiles shows that more people want to help others during this unprecedented time. Last year, 1,012 people in South Florida became new Red Cross volunteers largely to support urgent disaster needs.
HOW TO HELP You can help ensure that families don’t face emergencies alone — especially during a pandemic:
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
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