WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (April 9, 2019) — This week during National Volunteer Week, South Florida Red Cross is honoring its volunteers who help people in need through its lifesaving mission.
Here in the South Florida Region, more than 3,500 people volunteer with the Red Cross to help people by volunteering at veterans’ hospitals, teaching people lifesaving skills such as first aid and CPR, responding to home fires in the middle of the night, assisting with special events and projects and so much more. These individuals are also among the more than 372,000 volunteers who comprise more than 90 percent of the national American Red Cross workforce.
“During National Volunteer Week, we thank our volunteers for their service and support,” said Joanne Nowlin, chief executive officer of the South Florida Region. “Our volunteers are true heroes who give their time to help their neighbors and local community.”
Last year, Red Cross volunteers provided food, shelter, comfort and hope to people affected by home fires within the community and disasters across the country. They also help train people in lifesaving skills and provide to military members, veterans and their families.
How Clara Correa Geraci Became a Red Cross Volunteer
After Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances in 2004, the Red Cross needed the community’s support to help families in need and volunteer their time. Red Cross volunteer Clara Correa Geraci answered that call with the intention of helping for two short weeks. More than 14 years later, Geraci continues to volunteer at the Red Cross in many aspects. At first, she did not know much of the Red Cross, its mission or the services they provided with the exception that they helped people in times of emergency.
Geraci met people from all over the country that came to help during and after the impact of Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances and was impressed of the number of individuals that were Red Cross volunteers not employees. This action by so many individuals, peaked her interest to learn more about the Red Cross and get involved in their different lines of service.
“Volunteering alongside like-minded people, helping people – nothing is better,” said Geraci, Red Cross Volunteer, “The hearts of my fellow volunteers can’t be any bigger. Together, we accomplish our mission: “to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. As I once heard and my favorite quote, “We don’t need more cool people, we need more kind people”. That is the face of the Red Cross and I am a proud volunteer.”
BECOME A VOLUNTEER Learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to get involved by visiting redcross.org/sflvolunteer.
HELP SOUND THE ALARM TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Visit SoundTheAlarm.org/SFL to join a special volunteer opportunity to help install 100,000 free smoke alarms and raise lifesaving funds, as part of a national two-week push of Sound the Alarm.
Help the South Florida Region, install free smoke alarms, provide home fire safety and make homes safer in the following counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin and Palm Beach.
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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