As the New Year brings the tradition of resolutions, consider helping people in need as a volunteer across South Carolina.

During the coronavirus pandemic, families continue to depend on American Red Cross of South Carolina volunteers every day for emergency support, including blood collection, disaster response, support for our military and veterans, and virtual opportunities to serve our communities. The work of the Red Cross has never been more important as the demand for services has never been higher.

“Just knowing that our community is always here to lend a helping hand during these trying times provides comfort and hope for all our neighbors,” said Lisa Miller-Wills, the Regional Volunteer Services Officer for the Red Cross of South Carolina. “We hope you will consider joining our team as a Red Cross volunteer and ensure that no one in SC ever has to face life’s emergencies alone.”

WHY I VOLUNTEER: Cherish Campbell is a South Carolina Volunteer that works as a blood donor ambassador. She supports community blood drives and helps greet and direct donors to ensure they have a pleasant experience.

“I’m honored to be apart the American Red Cross and take pride in being able to help others. My mother recently passed away and she received blood donation until her last breath. I am so grateful for blood donors that supported her.”

Susan Converse is a disaster volunteer with the Red Cross of South Carolina and helps families after disasters like home fires or storms.

“I chose this area because you can help people who are in immediate need and make an impact when it matters most,” said Converse. “I have always admired the work the Red Cross does.”

Shari Clarke is a member of the Red Cross of South Carolina’s Disaster Health Services Team and provides support for families experiencing disasters, big or small.

“If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain,” said Clarke. “One young man I spoke with over the phone after a disaster was just so thankful that someone cared.”

HOW TO HELP The need for volunteers is constant, and everyone’s well-being is our top priority as we work with public health officials to safely deliver services during COVID-19. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more, including our most-needed positions:

• Blood donor ambassadors and transportation specialists: Blood donations are essential to the health of our communities, and blood donor ambassadors are a vital part of this work by welcoming visitors and taking their temperatures before entering Red Cross facilities and blood drives. Visitors could include potential blood donors, people seeking help, training course participants, and Red Cross employees and volunteers. We also have a high-priority need for transportation specialists to help deliver blood from our facilities to local hospitals.

• Disaster response volunteers: Most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes are local home fires, which can destroy nearly everything a family owns in a matter of minutes. Partnering with local fire departments, Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers connect with families by video or phone call to provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover. 
• Service to Armed Forces Family Follow-Up Volunteer: Caring for our military, veterans and their families is an important function of our work. As a FFU Volunteer you will be making a follow up calls to military family members or veterans to support them with status requests and resource support.

• Volunteer from home (virtual positions): Help from the comfort of your own home through a wide range of virtual opportunities, including:
  • Virtual Recruitment Volunteer – Support our efforts to recruit others to join our life-saving work.
  • Virtual Volunteer Screener – Support our efforts to welcome, on-board and place volunteers into different opportunities.
  • Virtual Fundraising Volunteer – Support our efforts to raise the necessary funds to support our life-saving work.
  • Virtual Disaster Cycle Services Volunteer—Support our efforts to help families impacted by disasters, large and small.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.