Volunteer
Volunteer Recognition
These volunteers have also gone above and beyond to assist with the "cold weather shelter" we opened on New Years Day, and with other various events |
Disaster Services has instituted a volunteer recognition program by starting the outstanding CHAPTER VOLUNTEER of the QUARTER. The first recipients of this award were Hank De Sandre (left) and Rosemary Purcell (middle). Volunteer Lead Hank DeSandre was honored to present the award to Rosemary Pursell, who has helped on numerous occasions to assist the Chapter, and our clients, and will now be the Chapter's community events coordinator. Robert Beebe, Emergency Service Director, also acknowledged Rosemary for her involvement with utility assistance program. Way to go team!!!
Every day, the American Red Cross helps people in emergencies . . . whether it's half a million disaster victims or one sick child who needs blood.
Our vital work is made possible by people like you, who learn how good it can feel to lend a helping hand. Red Cross "everyday heroes" come from all walks of life. They're all ages. Everyone has something special to offer . . . including you.
You're needed by the Red Cross. Right now.
- Too busy? Your local Red Cross can work with you to provide rewarding experiences, whatever your schedule.
- Think you don't have any skills to offer? You'd be surprised. And, if you need training, we'll provide it.
Search thousands of one-time and ongoing Red Cross opportunities by zip code, category, and date on VolunteerMatch's powerful online database.
We depend on volunteers, who constitute 97 percent of our total work force, to carry on our humanitarian work:
- Every year, the Red Cross is there for hurricane, earthquake, and other disaster victims--including 150 families forced from their homes by fire every day.
- 175,000 volunteers worked to prevent, prepare for and respond to nearly 64,000 disaster incidents last year.
- Over 15 million Americans turn to us to learn first aid, CPR, swimming, and other health and safety skills. Last year, more than 230,000 people volunteered to teach those courses.
- Half the nation's blood supply--six million pints annually--is collected by more than 190,000 Red Cross volunteers.
- Among our emergency services for the men and women of the armed forces is the delivery of urgent family messages--one every 22 seconds.
- Over 24,000 volunteers serve as chairs, members of boards of directors, or on advisory boards for local Red Cross units - chapters, Blood Services regions, and military stations.
- As part of the International Red Cross Movement, we work to ease human suffering on a global scale.
Don't wait another day to find out how good it feels to wear the Red Cross emblem. Contact your local Red Cross for more information right now.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways you can help even when there is not a disaster happening. Below you will find some opportunities, we need volunteers to train, and assist with the duties.
Blood drive coordinator- Distribute blood drive schedules and ensure all blood drives are adequately staffed. 2-3 hours a week can be done from home.
Interim DSHR administrator- maintains the Disaster Services Human Resources database. Ensure records are kept up to date; enter new volunteer records, and other various duties. 1-2 hours a week, to be done at chapter
SAF Presenter- Services to Armed Forces. Give presentations to military personnel about the Red Cross services available to them and their family. 2 to 3 presentations a month at Keesler Air Force Base and Naval Construction Battalion Gulfport.
Volunteer Coordinator- Help recruit, retain, and train volunteers. Help recruit new volunteers, get them trained, and ensure they are enjoying their volunteer experience. 5-6 hours a week, at the chapter.
Course Instructor- Teaching Health and Safety and/or Disaster Courses.
There are many more opportunities, to find out more or to volunteer for any of the ones above please call Amanda at 228-896-4511 or email at apierini@redcross-msgc.org.
Calling All Seniors
We need you. Become a national disaster team volunteer.
Travel to exotic and not-so-exotic places. Meet people whose lives have been struck by disaster -- and help them.
A hurricane hits or a tornado touches down and suddenly a community that was thriving hours before is devastated. The efforts of local disaster volunteers often are quickly dwarfed in comparison to the destruction and number of people affected. It happens all the time and when it does the Red Cross moves into action sending highly trained and experienced Red Cross disaster volunteers into affected areas quickly and efficiently. It can be five blocks or 5,000 miles from your home.
Have we piqued your interest?
To become a member of this volunteer program you must be recommended by your local Red Cross Chapter. In addition, you must regularly participate in an extensive disaster-training program and continue to serve as a member of your local Red Cross Chapter disaster program.
What else does it take?
- Flexibility to serve on disaster operations anywhere in the United States or its territories -- with little or no advanced warning -- for a minimum of three weeks.
- Willingness to live under adverse conditions and work long hours each day for extended periods.
- Good health, including the stamina, endurance and physical capability to protect the health and safety of disaster victims and other disaster relief workers.
- A sense of professional spirit and adventure.
- Disaster Training
What kind of training is available? The Red Cross provides specialized training for anyone interested in joining the Disaster Program.
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