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If you like to help people you have come to the right place. Your local Red Cross unit could have just the opportunity - from training to be and ready to respond to disasters to supporting a blood drive from delivering messages to our US service personnel to connecting families displaced by disasters or conflict.
Ready to Volunteer:
Get Started Now:
If you are going to be a Red Cross volunteer, you can begin learning about the organization right now:
The American Red Cross is one of several community organizations working together to respond to disasters. The Red Cross involves annually matching knowledge, skills, interests and experience of individual's with opportunities to serve their community.
We Depend on Volunteers:
Volunteers constitute 96 percent of our total work force to carry on our humanitarian work:
- Every year the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters.
- Approximately 150 home fires every day.
- About 11 million Americans turn to us to learn First Aid, CPR and much more.
- Last year, more than 158,000 people volunteered to teach those courses.
- Over six million pints annually is collected by more than 155,000 Red Cross volunteers.
- Emergency family-messages for our military personnel are delivered to our Armed Forcus Personnel.
- These messages are delivered around the clock and around the globe.
- More than 30,900 volunteers serve the American Red Cross on our boards and advisory boards.
- Over 8,000 families separated by conflicts and disaster have been reunited by the Red Cross.
- This has been provided by the International Red Cross tracking services.
Nursing Vision:
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American Red Cross Nursing dedecated individuals.
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A presence throughout the world.
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Uplifting lives with compassion and special skills.
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Competent and prepared to meet the challenge
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Strengthening the organization with innovation and support.
Background:
Nurses have always been a cornerstone for the provision of services by the American Red Cross. Historically, Red Cross nurses have provided their assistance during times of disaster and conflict beginning with the 1889 Johnstown floods and the 1888 Yellow Fever epidemic. The Red Cross Nursing Service was formally established by Jane Delano in 1909. Red Cross nursing has also had a major role in the historical evolution of nursing and nursing leadership in the United States with many Red Cross nurses, including Jane Delano, Clara Noyes, Julia Stimson and others playing strategic roles in the development of American nursing.
Nurse Involvement Today:
More than 30,000 nurses continue to be involved in paid and volunteer capacities at all levels and in all service areas throughout the American Red Cross. These activities consist of:
Providing direct services:
- Local Disaster Action Teams (DAT),
- Health Fairs
- Volunteer in Military Clinics & Hospitals
- Blood Collection Team,
- First Aid Stations
Teaching and developing courses:
Acting in management and supervisory roles:
Functioning in governance roles:
- Local Board Member to National Board of Governor
More Opportunities for Nurse Involvement:
The Office of the Chief Nurse is responsible for supporting and strengthening paid and volunteer nurse involvement throughout the Red Cross, maintaining liaison with service lines, and for managing the Nurse Enrollment and the nursing field infrastructure programs. In addition, it represents Red Cross nursing with external professional organizations, educational institutions, and regulatory groups.
The Office is led by the Chief Nurse and the National Chairman of Nursing. It includes other paid and volunteer nursing and support staff including nursing student interns and a nurse historian.
For more information, visit the Student Nurses section or contact
Office of the Chief Nurse
American Red Cross
2025 E Street NW,
Washington, DC 20006
Volunteer Opportunities Checklist
Thirty typical Red Cross volunteer opportunities:
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and people, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
The following is a list of typical Red Cross volunteer opportunities for your consideration
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Board Member: Volunteers serve on local Red Cross unit boards of directors.
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Office of Volunteers: Volunteers assist with setting up volunteer orientation courses, record keeping.
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Disaster Services: Volunteers are needed to respond to state and national disasters.
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Disaster Action Team: Volunteers are needed to respond to single-family fires with DAT Captains.
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Disaster Clerical: Volunteers are needed to help with daily Red Cross Chapter business.
- Health and Safety Instructor: Volunteers are needed to teach CPR, First Aid, Water Safety, and other.
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BabySitting Course Instructor: Volunteers become certified to teach BabySitting.
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Lifeguard Instructor: Volunteers needed to teach American Red Cross lifesaving course.
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Water Safety Instructor: Volunteers are needed to teach Swimming & Water Safety courses.
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Armed Forces Caseworker: Volunteers provide communication between families & Serviceman.
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Blood Donor Recruiter: Work with individuals, groups, and companies to schedule blood drives.
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Blood Mobile Worker: Volunteers greet and register blood donors.
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Grant Researching/Writing: Work with the Fund Development Director in writing grants, etc.
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Speakers: Volunteer speakers need to do presentations within the community.
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Publicity Aide: Volunteers need for computer data entry.
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Pinch-Hitter Volunteer: Help with unanticipated or irregular tasks as they arrive.
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Clerical: Volunteers need to assist with bulk mailing, filing, and inventory etc.
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Maintenance: Help with routine maintenance duties. Stocking supplies & inventory at the shelter.
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Special Projects: Volunteers needed to assist with various duties for fundraising and special events.
Please note: these are typical local Red Cross volunteer opportunities. Not every Red Cross local unit will offer all of these opportunities.
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