Time commitments vary according to the area in which you choose to volunteer. Many volunteers work regular weekly or monthly shifts. Others choose to maintain their training and respond only to major disasters. Although our need for volunteers is greatest during weekdays, many evening and weekend opportunities are also available. Take a look at our volunteer opportunities to determine which opportunities best fit in your schedule.

Age requirements vary by volunteer position. Volunteers under the age of 18 are encouraged to check out youth opportunities HERE.

Our volunteer opportunities vary which enables some volunteers to work from home or in the field.

In order to activate your Volunteer Connection account you must have an active email address. If you do not have an email address we encourage you to acquire one from one of the many free services providers.

To become a volunteer, please start by completing a volunteer application and completing the required steps including background check, reading and agreeing to the Red Cross policies, and signing up for a one-on-one interview with our volunteer services team to discuss the best position for you within the Red Cross.

Once you have completed the application process and background check, a volunteer screener will contact you to discuss volunteer opportunities and together you will determine a match. Consider how much time you are interested in dedicating, your skills and talents, where you are willing to volunteer, and what your schedule is. To help find your best fit, check out our current list of volunteer opportunities.

The first step to becoming a Red Cross Disaster Responder is to apply using our volunteer management system Volunteer Connection. You will be required to create a profile which takes less than 5 minutes and submit your volunteer application through the system. You will also be required to submit a background check. Upon receipt of your background check and application, you will be contacted by a screener to discuss next steps.

Yes, although you must have training with disaster response as a local Red Cross volunteer. Most volunteers choose to put their skills into practice by working on their local Disaster Action Team, responding to the disasters that occur every day in our community. You can find out more about Disaster Services and how to get involved during the volunteer application process.