The American Red Cross asks you to consider giving the gift of your time in the new year and resolve to help people in need as a volunteer in Georgia.

“Our volunteers make up 90% of our workforce and are the beating heart and soul of the Red Cross,” said Tim Suda, volunteer services senior engagement specialist. “Their support is immeasurable. Their gift of time builds our capacity to help people in what can be their darkest hour.”

Depending on your interests, the Red Cross offers a variety of volunteer opportunities — from supporting a family after a fire in their home, helping a member of the military during an emergency, or helping us ensure blood is available for patients who need it.

• Disaster Action Team (DAT): Help families in your community after a home fire or other disaster. DAT team members provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.
• Hero Care Caseworker: Support members of the military, their families and our veterans. Become a casework volunteer and help provide emergency communications and critical services to military families all over the world.
• Blood donor ambassadors: Engage with blood donors by greeting them at blood drives, helping them register, answering questions, providing information and assisting them at the refreshments table.
• Blood transportation specialists: Volunteer transportation specialists support hospital patients by delivering blood from our facilities to local hospitals. If you have a little free time, love driving and enjoy meeting new people, the Red Cross has a great volunteer spot waiting for you.

Volunteer Story:

“It means hope, it’s a sign of hope.”
A Volunteer Shares His Red Cross Journey

Hurricane Helene catapulted Joe Apicelli to his American Red Cross Chapter in Connecticut. “I’ve been blessed to be a Red Cross volunteer since Katrina, so I’m on my 19^th anniversary,” he said.

Apicelli is a jolly guy with a big smile that lights up his face. His heart is as big as his boundless amount of energy. The 68-year-old retired early from the restaurant business and feels strongly about his commitment to humanitarian work. “I’ve been so blessed to represent my country this way, to show the American people worldwide what the Red Cross is all about. I have proudly worn the Red Cross logo on my vest,” he said.

Apicelli’s vest and his compassion were hard at work in the aftermath of the catastrophic storm. He drove an Emergency Response Vehicle to the areas hardest hit by wind and rain in Georgia, handing out meals and providing comfort. “I’ve seen the difference it makes when people see us roll into their neighborhoods,” he said somberly. “It means hope, it’s a sign of hope.”

Volunteers are the backbone of the Red Cross. The organization’s workforce is around 90% volunteers who give freely of their time and generous hearts.

The need to help has never been greater. Join us to provide relief and hope when it matters most. Visit redcross.org/volunteer and get started today.

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.