American Red Cross volunteers from the Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota Region are responding to widespread disasters across the U.S.
During the weekend, more than a dozen trained volunteers packed their bags to travel across the country to help people affected by multiple disasters, including wildfires and flooding.
“Every day Red Cross volunteers are ready to respond during dire times,” said Brice Johnson, regional CEO of the Red Cross in Minnesota and Dakotas. “Time and time again, volunteers from across our region raise their hands, open their hearts and roll up their sleeves to care for people in need.”
Currently, more than 25 volunteers are supporting major disaster relief operations in multiple states and areas, including Southern California, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest. This number is likely to rise in the coming days depending on relief needs.
Volunteers are helping to provide safe shelter, food, emergency relief supplies, health services, emotional support and family reconnection services to those in need.
The climate crisis is increasing the intensity of extreme heat, wildfires and hurricanes. As these extreme weather disasters increase, more people need help from the Red Cross. The relentless pace of severe disasters has created more ongoing emergency needs. Find out more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis here.
HOW TO HELP
VOLUNTEER Every day people are forced from their homes due to fires, storms and other disasters. Single- and multi-family fires account for 90% of disaster responses. You can be part of a team that helps and responds to over 60,000 emergencies every year. Find out more about volunteer opportunities here.
DONATE You can help people affected by disasters like fires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross, Minnesota and Dakotas Region
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. The local Red Cross region, comprised of nine community chapters and five Blood Donation Centers, serves more than 7.3 million people in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and Douglas County (Superior) in Wisconsin. For more information, please visit redcross.org/mndaks.