National Volunteer Week is April 19 to 25, and the American Red Cross Serving Eastern North Carolina honors its volunteers who are helping people in need, even during the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Life’s emergencies have not stopped, and neither have local Red Cross volunteers, who are still providing care and comfort after disasters of all sizes, including home fires. Since January 1, Red Cross volunteers responded to 354 home fires and assisted 1,270 people affected by these crises.
During this coronavirus outbreak, our volunteers continue to deliver on the Red Cross mission through serving at blood drives to help support donors as they give life-saving blood and to deliver blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteers are helping out virtually by providing relief services after home fires in coordination with local fire departments. In service to our military community, volunteers are providing emergency assistance to military families and community resources to veterans, and so much more.
In the 53 counties of Eastern North Carolina more than 3,500 people regularly volunteer with the Red Cross. These individuals are also among the more than 300,000 volunteers who comprise more than 90 percent of the national Red Cross workforce. “Red Cross volunteers keep our communities strong,” said Barry Porter, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Serving Eastern North Carolina. “We honor these true heroes who give their time to help people in need.”
Last year, Red Cross volunteers provided food, shelter, comfort and hope to 4,989 people affected by home fires and other disasters in the Eastern North Carolina Region. Volunteers also supported blood drives that collected over 115,000 blood donations of blood to help sustain and save lives of patients at area hospitals and provided nearly 9,000 emergency services to active duty military members, veterans and their families. In addition, North Carolina was affected by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. During that time, Red Cross NC and community partners opened 79 community shelters, provided 5,702 overnight stays, and delivered over 76,237 meals/snacks in affected communities.
Each day, people still rely on the Red Cross to help prevent and alleviate their suffering, and we’re grateful to our volunteers working tirelessly to support those we serve, as well as to our generous donors who make the Red Cross mission possible.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER Our need for volunteers is constant and continues to evolve as we navigate this coronavirus health crisis. Volunteer opportunities include supporting blood donations and delivering much-needed disaster services to your community. We even have a wide variety of volunteer-from-home opportunities available. Find out more.
Interested in serving? Everyone’s safety is our top priority. Please review Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your healthcare provider and follow local guidance.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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.
