| (April, 2008)
Giving--whether time, talent or a unit of blood—comes naturally to the thousands of American Red Cross volunteers across the nation.
Volunteers constitute 96 percent of the total American Red Cross work force to carry on the organization’s humanitarian work.1 American Red Cross volunteers donated about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, reconnect more than 8,000 families separated by conflicts and disasters around the world through international tracking and Red Cross messages, and respond to more than 70,000 disasters annually.2 Without these special volunteers, much of this important work would go undone.
Every April, volunteers are recognized during National Volunteer Week. National Volunteer Week was created in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order to establish the week as an annual celebration of volunteering.3 National Volunteer Week 2008 is April 27 – May 3.
You can join the celebration, and become a volunteer, by donating blood. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) to schedule your blood donation appointment.
1 American Red Cross. “Volunteer Services” Website. Nov. 2007
2 American Red Cross. “Volunteer Services” Website. Nov. 2007
3 Points Of Light & Hands On Network Website Nov. 2007
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