Get Involved
The very foundation of the American Red Cross is its volunteer work force. Today, the American Red Cross in Westchester County has 500 active volunteers, representing adults and youth, involved in ongoing programs and services at all levels.
Volunteer Services
Volunteer Philosophy
- The American Red Cross is and ought to be an organization governed, supported, and primarily staffed by volunteers
- Paid staff are enablers of and not substitutes for volunteers
- Principal management roles are filled by teams of paid and volunteer staff working together and sharing responsibilities
Volunteer Roles and Opportunities
The American Red Cross in Westchester County offers numerous volunteer opportunities to challenge you and contribute to your personal growth. Join the corps of over 500 volunteers who help their neighbors in time of disaster and advance the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. We serve over 100,000 Westchester residents every year!
Click here to register as a Red Cross Volunteer today!
Some of the volunteer opportunities available at the American Red Cross in Westchester County include:
Disaster Services:
When disaster strikes the Disaster Services department responds. All disaster assistance is free and based on each individual needs.
- Disaster Response Team: The Disaster Response Team needs volunteers to respond to local disasters, If you have time to respond to an emergency at a moment’s notice—day or night—we can train you to become a member of our disaster services team.
- Community Disaster Educators: Volunteers trained to present information to the community regarding the necessary steps to take to prepare one's family, business or school in times of disaster.
- Disaster Services Human Resources: Volunteers with experience and training can elect to be called for a consecutive 3 week term of service with other Red Cross chapters in the county to assist with National level disaster relief.
- Senior Calls Program: Volunteers provide the gift of companionship to homebound senior citizens through weekly telephone reassurance calls back.
Blood Services:
Each blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives: Red blood cells help patients undergoing surgeries and chronic anemia. Platelets benefit cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and plasma helps burn victims and trauma patients.
- Blood Donor Recruiter: Volunteers work with individuals, groups, and companies to schedule blood drives.
- Blood Mobile Worker: Volunteers greet and register blood donors.
Preparedness:
The Red Cross is always ready to respond in a crisis, however, much of our efforts are invested in preventing accidents and saving lives. Behind the scenes, countless hours are spent teaching adults and children how to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
- Health and Safety Instructor: Volunteers needed to teach community as well as preschool and elementary school classes in CPR, First Aid, water safety, and other youth safety presentations.
- Babysitting Course Instructor: Volunteers become certified to teach American Red Cross Babysitting courses to teenagers.
- Lifeguard Instructor: Volunteers needed to teach American Red Cross lifesaving courses.
- Water Safety Instructor: Volunteers needed to teach American Red Cross swimming and water safety courses.
For more information, please visit our Instructor's Corner.
Marketing:
The American Red Cross needs volunteers to promote the organization, to make more number of people aware of the center and its activities.
- Speaker Bureau: Volunteer speakers needed to do presentations within the community.
- Public Relations: Volunteers needed to assist with publicity and marketing of the local Red Cross chapter.
Volunteer Administrator:
A volunteer administrator can help to position the volunteer program within an organization.
- Youth Group Liaison: Volunteers served as liaison with local youth groups that volunteer with the Red Cross.
- Office of Volunteers: Volunteers assist with writing volunteer job descriptions, setting up volunteer orientation courses, conduct volunteer screening interviews, help with volunteer placement, record keeping, and recognition.
Youth:
High school students who serve as Red Cross volunteers play critical roles in all service areas and can assume leadership positions by serving on an executive board or youth leadership council.
- Volunteers/Programs: Students are encouraged to volunteer answering phones, doing office work, help with mailings, preparing material for classes and computer data entry.
Office Duties:
Learn workplace skills by volunteering in our offices after school, on vacations and during the summer.
- Clerical: Volunteers needed to assemble class packets, stamp brochures, data entry, mailings and any other administrative duties.
- Reception: Volunteers with excellent communication skills and who like to work in a friendly atmosphere, then reception desk is the place for you.
This position includes some of the following job responsibilities:
Answer main switchboard and direct calls accordingly
Take and forward messages to respective departments
Meet and direct visitors entering the chapter. - Pinch-Hitter Volunteer: Volunteers available to help with unanticipated or irregular tasks as they arrive.
For more information, please call our Volunteer Resource Department at (914) 946-6500, ext. 450.