Volunteer

 Each year, more than one million Americans work with the Red Cross as volunteers serving local community needs. Every day, Red Cross volunteers -- your neighbors -- provide a broad array of vital services to people in need in the Upstate.  Red Cross volunteers perform such critical services as helping victims of fires, floods, storms, and other disasters; providing lifesaving training in CPR and water safety; and educating young adults about HIV/AIDS risk and prevention. Others help the organization with office work, event planning, and much, much more. Volunteers are a part of everything we do, and there’s a volunteer opportunity for everyone.

Red Cross “everyday heroes” come from all walks of life. All ages.. everyone has something special to offer…including you. Neighbor helping neighbor is the core of what the Red Cross is about.

Our volunteers tell us that volunteering makes them feel good about providing volunteer services that makes a difference. The Upstate SC Chapter can work with you to provide rewarding experiences and opportunities to utilize your talents, as well as expert training to help you serve your community.

Voluntary service is a fundamental principle of the Red Cross, and we are grateful for your interest in helping us to serve the people of Upstate South Carolina. We invite you to explore the specific volunteer opportunities now available.

Learn More… 

            Check out our top ten volunteer opportunities!

1.         Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) Volunteer:  Support our troops and their families!  You can show your support as an Armed Forces Emergency Services Volunteer, helping military personnel, veterans, and their families to prepare for and respond to emergencies.  Participate in community projects to benefit military units and their families and to promote Red Cross Armed Forces emergency communications; present “Get to Know Us Before You Need Us” programs to community-based military and their families; and assist the chapter in providing Project Video Connect e-mail messages, sent from local military families to deployed servicemen and servicewomen.  You can have a direct impact on the lives of military personnel and their families in the Upstate through your support of and involvement in the community efforts of the Upstate South Carolina Red Cross and those of local partner agencies, such as the Blue Star Mothers, Military Officers Association of America, and National Guard Family Readiness Groups.  Time commitment may be determined on an as-needed and as-available basis.

2.         International Services Volunteer:  Are you personally committed to such high ideals as humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality?  All of the activities of International Services Volunteers of the Upstate South Carolina Chapter are intended to be results of a personal commitment to the these ideals, the seven Fundamental Principals of the International Red Cross Movement.  As an International Services volunteer, you will have the opportunity to increase your own knowledge of these seven Fundamental Principals and their application to Red Cross service, and you will be able to educate the community about the ways these principals are manifested in such profound ways as the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law.  Promote the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement by participating in projects to benefit the local international community, supporting international efforts of the American Red Cross through fundraising, and working with the Upstate South Carolina Chapter to increase global awareness in the local community.  Time commitment may be determined on an as-needed and as-available basis.

3.         Volunteer Interpreter/Translator:  Do you or a friend speak multiple languages?  The Upstate is home to individuals and families representing a variety of diverse languages.  Our Language Bank is actively seeking bilingual and multi-lingual volunteers to serve as a translation and interpretation resource for Red Cross service providers in Disaster Relief and Community Disaster Education and for partner agencies active in disaster relief or emergency prevention, preparation, or response.  Your willingness to employ your language skills in the service of others is one of our organization’s finest examples of its dedication to ensuring that all people have equal access to Red Cross services.  Language should never be a barrier to help; help us help our community!

4.         Diversity Committee Member: Our humanitarian mission connects us to people and communities across the nation and around the world. We are committed to ensuring that our people, programs and services reflect the diversity of the people and communities we serve. Valuing the diversity among people - diversity of thinking, backgrounds and culture - helps the Red Cross better engage and meet the needs of the communities we serve. Volunteers serve on our local Red Cross Diversity committee as it builds new directions and goals for the Upstate. These programs, consultants and partnerships are what help drive us toward realizing our full potential and reaping the benefits of the total diversity in our people, programs and services. The Committee has a full agenda to do its part in helping the American Red Cross become recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness and become the nonprofit service provider and charity of choice for all people.

5.         Disaster Action Team: Be Red Cross proud! You can make a difference and begin the healing process for that special child, grandparent, and neighbor. Volunteers assist and respond to single-family fires and local disasters with a disaster action team supervisor. As a member of the local Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT), you will be among the first to arrive to the scene of a disaster - typically a fire, flood, tornado, wind, or ice storm.  You'll bring comfort to people affected by the disaster, assess the damage to their homes and help meet their immediate needs for food, clothing, shelter, health services, and mental health counseling. 

6.         Health and Safety Instructor: How many lives are saved by you? By becoming an Instructor with the American Red Cross, you help the community by fulfilling our mission to help people prevent, prepare for and cope with emergency situations. Volunteer Instructor positions are available in Disaster Services and Health and Safety Services. Volunteers are needed to teach community classes in CPR, First Aid, water safety, babysitting courses and much more!

7.         Health Fairs – It’s a party! Many communities and organizations host health fairs & special events to provide their community with the knowledge of the services that is available to them. As a trained Red Cross booth worker, you will meet and greet people from the community and educate them to the Red Cross and services, while giving brochures and other additional literature to interested individuals.

 8.         Speakers Bureau – Take pride in representing the ARC tradition of volunteerism and speak out on behalf of ARC’s 125 years of service to the world! As a trained presenter, you will be available to speak on behalf of the Red Cross at events and functions upon request. The Speaker's Bureau group is made up of individuals that are very knowledgeable with all aspects of the American Red Cross and our services. Speaking engagements include county officials, media, large company groups and special events.

9. Hispanic Outreach Program- Reach out! Partner with our Hispanic volunteers as we continue to expand our Hispanic services and programs in our community. Help us expand our life saving educational classes and disaster preparedness skills into the Hispanic population in the Upstate.  Volunteers are needed to teach first aid & disaster readiness classes, present RC programs in the community, and provide assistance and comfort to victims of disasters in times of need.

10.         Clerical Volunteer: Pinch hit for the team! Volunteers are needed to help with unanticipated or irregular tasks as they arrive. Volunteer needs include bulk mailing, filing, data entry, mannequin maintenance, inventory, and much more.

  Don’t forget your family! Teens, look out for the future of the American Red Cross by getting involved today!  We have a Youth Group where the membership is free and open to all youths between the ages of 13 and 19.  Our regular meeting times are every other Thursday night from 6:30-8:30, and service projects are scheduled on at least one Saturday per month.  It is a great way to meet new friends and earn service hours needed for school.  Call Genean Berggrun for additional details at 282-8640. 

 You can do it! American Red Cross volunteers are professionally and thoroughly trained so they know what to do and how to perform their responsibilities.

You can continue to enhance your skills and experience, taking on different volunteer roles or moving into team leader and supervisory roles.

You’re sure to find the volunteer opportunity and location at the American Red Cross that is right for you depending on your interests, skills, and availability.

The Upstate SC Chapter has 5 convenient locations for you!