Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (April 20, 2026) — During the 53rd National Volunteer Week (April 19-25, 2026), the American Red Cross of Utah is honoring the volunteers whose service reaches communities across the state. In Utah, they respond to home fires, support blood drives, share preparedness information and deploy to major disasters across the country.
“We are grateful for the people who dedicate their time to helping others and making their communities more resilient,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “Volunteers make a difference not only through the Red Cross, but across nonprofit organizations nationwide helping people in need.”
Volunteers Make the Red Cross
Across the nation, more than 325,000 volunteers make up about 90% of the Red Cross workforce, serving in critical roles that support every aspect of the organization’s mission. They respond to disasters, support blood drives, assist military families and help communities prepare for and recover from emergencies.
In Utah, Red Cross volunteers have responded to 1,008 home fires since 2020, helping 4,649 people with emergency assistance. In 2025 alone, volunteers responded to 154 home fires, assisted 728 people, installed more than 2,000 free smoke alarms and deployed to every major disaster response nationwide, contributing more than 10,000 hours. They also supported over 4,200 blood drives that collected more than 138,000 units of blood.
Volunteers continue to have a major impact across the country. A recent study from the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps found that 75.7 million Americans participated in organized volunteer efforts, contributing nearly 5 billion hours of service valued at $167.2 billion. Utah remains one of the nation’s leading states for volunteerism, with about 1.2 million residents serving and contributing an estimated $3.8 billion in value.
Volunteer Opportunities
Red Cross volunteers support the organization’s humanitarian mission in Utah and across the country. They respond to disasters, assist with blood drives, support military families and help communities prepare for and recover from emergencies. To learn more about how to get involved, visit redcross.org/volunteer.
Disaster response volunteers are trained to help during local emergencies, including home fires, by providing immediate support in person or remotely. With additional training and experience, volunteers may also have opportunities to deploy to larger disaster operations across the country. Learn more about Disaster Action Team volunteer roles at redcross.org/DAT.
A Legacy of Service
National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 by President Richard Nixon to honor the contributions of volunteers nationwide. This annual observance recognizes the role service plays in strengthening communities and inspiring others to get involved.
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.
