Recognizing Red Cross volunteers

During National Volunteer Week, April 12-18, the American Red Cross of Montana is honoring its volunteers and the work they do in communities across our state. We’re also encouraging Montanans to be part of our lifesaving mission by signing up to volunteer.

Red Cross volunteers are an awe-inspiring group of people who help save lives and offer hope to people in their darkest hours. Last year, our 394 active volunteers helped 220 local families cope with home fires and other disaster situations, they trained 8,332 people in lifesaving skills, they taught emergency preparedness to 220 families, they assisted 324 military families with a wide range of challenges, and they conducted 2,009 blood drives in the region.

National Volunteer Week is a great time to get involved with Red Cross.  As our Montana disaster teams prepare for flood and wildfire seasons, I invite your readers to join them in bringing help and hope to our communities when it’s needed most. Find out more and complete an application at redcross.org/montana.

There are many other ways to get involved at Red Cross. As a Home Fire Preparedness Program volunteer, people can help reduce the number of home fire injuries and deaths in the area by going door-to-door in their community to teach people about home fire safety and to install free smoke alarms. They can also work with military families,  staff blood drives, do office or communications work or even help us connect with Montanans via social media.  

They can also download the free Team Red Cross app, through which they can sign up to help when a disaster strikes in their community. The app also gives an overview of basic volunteer tasks and can send notifications about local Red Cross volunteer opportunities.

During National Volunteer Week, I offer my sincerest thanks to the Montana Red Cross volunteers who help us fulfill our mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering during emergencies. Their dedication and commitment make all that we do possible.

Diane Wright is the executive director of American Red Cross of Montana. For more information, visit online at  www.redcross.org.