Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
RENO, Nev. (March 18, 2026) — As part of Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross of Northern Nevada is hosting a Volunteer Open House and Blood Drive on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4750 Longley Lane in Reno.
At the event, residents can donate blood, learn about volunteer opportunities and meet Red Cross staff, volunteers and local community partners. The Red Cross of Northern Nevada is partnering with Vitalant to raise awareness about the ongoing need for lifesaving blood donations. Blood drive appointments are still available and can be scheduled at rdcrss.org/4rF9gto.
“Giving blood or volunteering with the Red Cross is about more than helping in a single moment. It’s about showing up for your community when it matters most,” said Bridget Posson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Northern Nevada Chapter. “This event is a chance for people to connect, get involved and learn how they can support their communities”
Community Partners Joining the Open House
Other organizations participating in the open house include Civil Air Patrol, the Nevada State Fire Marshal Division, Team Rubicon, the City of Reno Fire Department, Ashlee’s Toy Closet and United Way.
Volunteer Roles Across Northern and Rural Nevada
At Saturday’s event, residents can meet Red Cross volunteers and staff, hear about their experiences and learn about local volunteer roles in disaster response, blood drives, support for military families and preparedness efforts in Northern and Rural Nevada.
“Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do,” Posson said. “Saturday’s event is a great opportunity to learn more about the Red Cross and find a way to get involved locally.”
Across the country, more than 325,000 Red Cross volunteers support blood drives, help active-duty military members and their families, teach lifesaving skills and provide food, shelter and comfort after disasters of all sizes. As disasters grow more frequent and more complex, the need for volunteers continues to rise. The Red Cross provides training and offers a range of roles for people with different interests and skill sets. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteer.
Serving Communities Locally and Nationwide
In Northern and Rural Nevada, more than 500 Red Cross volunteers served their communities over the past year. Last year, Red Cross volunteers in Northern Nevada responded to 85 home fires, installed nearly 1,500 free smoke alarms and worked more than 14,000 hours across the region. Red Cross of Northern Nevada volunteers also deployed to every major disaster response nationwide, including the California wildfires, flooding in Alaska and tornadoes in the Midwest, putting in more than 4,000 hours.
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.
