The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region needs help in 2023 and is asking people to make volunteering a new year’s tradition.

More than 6,800 Angelenos volunteer with the Red Cross, part of the almost 300,000 people across the country whose support enables the organization to respond to an average of more than 60,000 disasters every year, and deliver more than 6.4 million blood products to hospital patients in need. Volunteers also help train more than 4.6 million people in Red Cross lifesaving skills, provide services to nearly 550,000 military members, veterans and their families; and reconnect almost 9,000 families separated by war or disaster around the world.

“Our Red Cross volunteers step up to help our neighbors here in Los Angeles each and every day,” said Joanne Nowlin, CEO of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “In the last year, volunteers responded to 410 disasters and assisted more than 2,100 clients in Los Angeles Region. Just imagine the impact you could make in 2023 by joining us as a volunteer.”

Volunteering is beneficial for people and the community. Benefits include meeting new people and learning new skills. Red Cross volunteers receive free training and the positions provide an opportunity to experience new adventures and be part of a mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering.

Blood donor ambassadors are needed to engage with donors at drives, answering questions and providing information. Transportation specialists help deliver blood from Red Cross facilities to local hospitals. Disaster action team members sign up for on-call shifts as part of a 24-hour emergency response team. Experienced case workers are needed to work with military families accessing Red Cross services, and people with strong communication skills and empathy are needed to lead workshops for military families facing deployment.

For information, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.