With hurricane season quickly approaching, the American Red Cross is already preparing for potential storms. May 1st kicks off Hurricane Preparedness Week and the Red Cross is always looking for volunteers to support people affected by these storms. With volunteers comprising more than 90 percent of the workforce, the Red Cross relies on them for help in a wide variety different roles.

Although hurricane relief may not be needed in your area, there are ways that you help those affected through the Red Cross. Many volunteers travel to areas affected by hurricanes to provide support in roles such as shelter support, disaster health services, disaster action, logistics procurement services, logistics supply services, and recovery client care. No matter your specialty or interest, the Red Cross has a role for every volunteer. Because of the high level of amount of support needed during a hurricane disaster response, the Red Cross relies heavily upon out-of-state volunteers.

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 or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.