New Year’s is the time for resolutions; resolve to become a Red Cross volunteer in 2022

MIAMI, Fla. (January 7, 2022) – The American Red Cross South Florida Region needs your help in 2022 and asks that you consider making a New Year’s resolution to become a volunteer.

Locally, more than 2,000 people volunteer with the Red Cross. These local volunteers are part of the almost 300,000 people across the country whose support enables the Red Cross to respond to an average of more than 60,000 disasters every year. They help train more than 4.6 million people in Red Cross lifesaving skills; help provide nearly 550,000 services to military members, veterans and their families; and to reconnect almost 9,000 families separated by war or disaster around the world. In addition, as many as 2.5 million volunteer donors give blood and platelets every year.

“Our Red Cross volunteers support their community and neighbors in need each and every day,” said Tiffany Page, Regional Volunteer Services Officer for the Red Cross South Florida Region. “In the last year, Red Cross volunteers provided food, shelter, comfort and hope to nearly 3,000 people affected by home fires and other disasters in South Florida. They provided over 2,900 military members, veterans and families with critical community services and more than 150 local volunteers accepted deployments in response to 34 different regional and nationwide disasters.”

Here are a few positions we really need help filling:

• Disaster Action Team (DAT) – Help comfort and support people who are forced from their homes due to fires, storms and other emergencies so they don’t have to face tough times alone.
• Disaster Action Team Duty Officer – Duty Officers play a critical role in Red Cross responses to local emergencies. When a family has been affected by a fire, flood, or other disaster and Red Cross services are needed, our on-call Duty Officers dispatch Disaster Action Team members to the scene to provide those vital services. 
• Hero Care Network Caseworker – Support our nation’s military members and their families through our Hero Care Network and other program services.
• Community Preparedness Education Team Member – Help save lives and prevent injuries by teaching disaster preparedness skills in your local community to both youth and adults.
• Disaster Public Affairs Team Member (DPAT) – Nationwide Red Cross volunteers respond to emergencies about every 8 minutes. Help us tell the Red Cross story in your local community! DPAT volunteers communicate timely information to local media about our service delivery when disaster strikes.

Training is free, but the hope you provide is priceless. Resolve to make a difference by turning tragedy into hope in 2022. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started today.

COVID-19 AND STAYING SAFE: The need for volunteers is constant and continues to evolve as the Red Cross navigates the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The safety of everyone is our top priority and our guidelines reflect the latest CDC safety recommendations. COVID-19 vaccination is required for in-person volunteer roles beginning January 3, 2022. When considering volunteer opportunities, review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance.

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.