SOUTH CAROLINA, April 21, 2022 — National Volunteer Week is April 17-23 and the American Red Cross of South Carolina honors the work of its volunteers who give their time to help people in need. Across the country, more than 300,000 Red Cross volunteers serve their communities by responding to thousands of disasters; supporting the collection of blood to help patients receive the critical care they need; aiding members of the military and their families; helping communities prepare for emergencies around the globe and much more.
Here in South Carolina, more than 2,000 volunteers help their local communities. “National Volunteer Week is time to honor all of our volunteers for their dedicated service and support,” said Rod Tolbert, Chief Executive Officer for the Red Cross of South Carolina. “They are true heroes who give their time day and night to help their neighbors in need.”
Last year, Red Cross volunteers throughout our state provided food, shelter, comfort and hope to 5,277 fellow South Carolinians who faced emergency situations. They trained nearly 9,000 people in lifesaving skills and provided more than 13,600 case services to military members, veterans, and their families.
MOST NEEDED VOLUNTEER POSITIONS The need for volunteers has never been greater as we experience larger and more intense disasters across the country. Please consider becoming a Red Cross volunteer to help families in need. We’ll provide all of the training you need, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more.
1. Disaster Action Team: While big hurricanes and wildfires get the most news coverage, smaller disasters such as home fires are no less devastating to those affected. That’s why we need volunteers to help comfort and support local families in need by providing food, shelter, clothing or supplies, and connecting families to recovery assistance.
2. Shelter Support Team: During large disasters, these volunteers support the day-to-day activities such as welcoming and registering residents, helping with meal service, distributing cots, blankets and hygiene supplies, and providing information and other assistance within a shelter.
3. Disaster Health Services Team: These volunteers use their professional skills as a licensed healthcare provider to deliver hands on care and education to shelter residents during a large disaster. Our free online training can count towards nursing continuing education units. If the need arises, volunteers are asked to commit to multiple local shifts of 4-12 hours each. For those able to travel, a commitment of at least 10-14 consecutive days, working 8- or 12-hour shifts is required.
4. Blood Donor Ambassador: These volunteers check blood donors into their appointments, answer questions and give out post donation snacks. Additionally, Transportation Specialist volunteers drive blood from donors to the patients in hospitals.
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 Twitter at @RedCross.
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