"Overwhelmed with gratitude:" Red Cross thanking volunteers during National Volunteer Week

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- National Volunteer Week is April 12th-18th and the American Red Cross, Wisconsin Region is honoring its volunteers who give their time to help people in need.

Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of volunteers are part of the Red Cross. They respond to fires, teach lifesaving skills like first aid and CPR, volunteer at veterans hospitals, help staff blood drives and so much more.

In the Wisconsin Region, 3,000 volunteers help local communities.

“We want to take this time during Volunteer Week to thank our volunteers for their service,” said Annie Taff, Regional Volunteer Officer. “They help us fulfill our lifesaving mission every day, and we are overwhelmed with gratitude for their service.”

Last year, Wisconsin Region Red Cross volunteers provided food, shelter, comfort and hope after 935 local disasters. They trained 99,588 people in life-saving skills and provided 4,433 services to military members, veterans and their families.

The Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign offers another way to volunteer and help reduce the number of home fire injuries and deaths. Volunteers are going door-to-door in neighborhoods at high risk for fires to install smoke alarms and teach people about home fire safety. The Red Cross is inviting the community to join in the campaign.

The Red Cross invites members of the community to sign up to become a Red Cross volunteer. There are many ways people can get involved. Go to www.redcross.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.