NEW ORLEANS (press release – As the time for making New Year’s resolutions grows closer, the American Red Cross of Louisiana asks that you resolve to make a difference and support your community by becoming a volunteer in 2024.
“We’re seeing both the frequency and intensity of disasters increase,” said Becca Merritt, Regional Volunteer Services Officer with the Louisiana Red Cross. “Across the country, the Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many large disasters as we did a decade ago to help people. This uptick in responses means that the need to help has never been greater.”
Visit redcross.org/louisiana to sign up for opportunities within your community. You can help your neighbors here in Louisiana or you can sign up to support disaster victims in other parts of the country.
HOW TO HELP Locally, 900+ people volunteer with the Louisiana Red Cross. In the last year, they responded to more than 1,600 local disasters such as home fires, installed 4,157 free smoke alarms in the community and served 5,274 meals to Louisianans seeking shelter from severe weather, sweltering heat and wildfires. Our local volunteers are part of the almost 275,000 volunteers across the country whose support enables the Red Cross to provide relief and comfort for disaster victims, emergency support for military families and veterans, and much more. Please resolve to help by volunteering in 2024.
DISASTER VOLUNTEERS ─ Some of our most needed disaster-related volunteer roles include:
- Disaster Action Team: Most of the 60,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are smaller disasters like home fires and these are no less devastating to the families affected. As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you can help comfort and support people in your community by meeting any immediate needs such as food, shelter, clothing or supplies and connecting them to long term recovery services. We supply all the training you need.
- Disaster Recovery Care: Casework volunteers provide support to people after disasters to help them get back on their feet. This can include providing referrals to other organizations, serving as an advocate, and issuing financial assistance through a special online system. Volunteers are needed to help both virtually and onsite after disasters.
- Disaster Health Services: Disaster Health Services volunteers support people who have lost prescriptions or medical equipment due to disasters (like house fires) by helping them navigate the healthcare system to get them replaced. During disasters, Health Services volunteers may support shelters in ensuring health and safety both for clients & workforce members. Be a part of a team that helps safeguard the physical health of families.
Our volunteers are at the heart of our mission and represent 90% of the Red Cross workforce. Visit www.redcross.org/louisiana to sign up for opportunities in Louisiana. Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives.
