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National Volunteer Week: Red Cross thanks volunteers

By Staff | Apr 16, 2021

MANCHESTER — National Volunteer Week is April 18-24, and the American Red Cross Northern New England Region recognizes its volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to help people in need during COVID-19.

In New Hampshire, 660 people volunteer with the Red Cross by responding to home fires and other disasters, supporting blood collections, providing emergency assistance to military families and much more. These individuals are among the more than 300,000 volunteers who comprise more than 90% of the national Red Cross workforce.

“We are grateful for the dedication of our volunteers, whose support make a compassionate difference for our neighbors in need,” said Stephanie Couturier, CEO, American Red Cross of Northern New England. “Their support during disasters and other emergencies has been more critical than ever, as families cope with increased anxiety and financial strains brought on by the pandemic.”

WHY I VOLUNTEER New Hampshire native Cliff LaPlante has volunteered with the Red Cross for more than 20 years. “Doing volunteer work many times means working with people who are having the worst day of their lives,” said LaPlante, “Knowing and seeing firsthand that you have made a difference in someone’s life is powerful. These are people you will remember for the rest of your life, and they will remember you.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP Become a Red Cross volunteer to help ensure families don’t face emergencies alone. Visit redcross.org/local/me-nh-vt/volunteer to learn more, including about our most-needed volunteer positions:

• Blood donor ambassadors and transportation specialists: Blood donations are essential to the health of our communities, and blood donor ambassadors are a vital part of this work by welcoming visitors and taking their temperatures before entering Red Cross facilities and blood drives. Visitors could include potential blood donors, people seeking help, training course participants, and Red Cross employees and volunteers. We also have a high priority need for transportation specialists to help deliver blood from our facilities to local hospitals. Currently there is a high need for volunteers for this position in Hillsborough and Sullivan Counties.

• Disaster Action Team: Most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes are local home fires, which can destroy nearly everything a family owns in a matter of minutes. Partnering with local fire departments, Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers connect with families by video or phone call to provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover. New Hampshire has a particular need for DAT volunteers in North Conway, Plymouth, Keene and the Merrimack Valley and Seacoast areas.

• Volunteer from home (virtual positions): Help from the comfort of your own home through a wide range of virtual opportunities, including Volunteer Workforce Engagement Representatives.

You can also make a lifesaving difference by making a financial donation at redcross.org and, if you’re healthy and feeling well, making an appointment to donate blood at RedCrossBlood.org. Those who come to give by April 30 will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice. Additional details are available at rcblood.org/Gift.

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