Top 5 benefits of giving back by becoming a volunteer

KENTUCKY, JANUARY 1, 2024 — The American Red Cross Kentucky Region needs your help in 2024 and asks that you to consider making a New Year’s resolution to become a volunteer.

In the Kentucky Region, which serves Kentucky and Southern Indiana, just over 1,000 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 and deliver more than 6.4 million blood products to hospital patients in need. Volunteers also 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.

“Our Red Cross volunteers step up to help our neighbors throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana each and every day,” said Steve Cunanan, CEO, Red Cross Kentucky Region. “In the last year, volunteers responded to more than 1,200 disasters like home fires and smaller tornadoes throughout the state, like this spring in Louisville, KY, as well as deploy across the country to assist with wildfires and hurricanes. Just imagine the impact you could make in 2024 by joining us as a volunteer.”

Volunteering is good for you and our community. The top five benefits of resolving to volunteer in 2024 include:

1. Meeting new people. Our volunteers are amazing individuals with diverse backgrounds that are inspired to give back, just like you.
2. Learning new skills. Red Cross volunteer positions include free training and provide an opportunity to experience new adventures.
3. Being part of something larger. Become a vital part of the Red Cross and our mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering.
4. Making a difference in someone’s life. Whether you are helping a family that just had a home fire or supporting the collection of lifesaving blood, your impact is real.
5. Staying active. Many volunteer roles require physical activity which is great for your overall health.

Here are just a few of the positions we need help filling (more information available at the links shown below):

• Blood Donor Ambassadors engage with blood donors at blood drives by greeting, registering, answering questions, providing information and supporting them through the recovery process at the refreshments table.
• Disaster Action Team Members sign up for on-call shifts as part of a team to help provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, ensuring that your neighbors have access to resources for necessities such as food, shelter and clothing.

Training is free, but the hope you provide as a Red Cross volunteer is priceless. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started.

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross

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