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Volunteering
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Volunteer Areas
Volunteer Areas
"Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much."
Clara Barton
Volunteers provide emergency assistance to local and national disaster victims in need of shelter, clothing and food. You can join a Disaster Action Team where you will respond to a variety of disaster situations and give emergency aid to victims. With advanced training, you can also go on to become a DSHR member and respond to national disasters. Training is provided: Disaster Training Schedule
Community Disaster Education (CDE) Presenter
In these uncertain times, more people are in need of basic disaster preparedness information than ever before. Help us to meet these needs by becoming a CDE presenter. Teach people how to build a disaster kit, how to make a family disaster plan, how to shelter in place, to name a few topics. Training is provided. Help is needed to give presentations during the day, at night and on weekends.
Trained volunteers provide emergency communications (regarding serious illnesses, deaths, births, etc) between military personnel and their families. Casework may include providing financial assistance or education about military and veterans issues. Additionally, volunteers assist in international tracing for persons living overseas, in war-torn countries, who are looking for family members thought to be in Alexandria or vice versa. Caseworkers also aid Alexandria residents with referrals to community services and transportation programs. Caseworkers are needed during office hours. Training is provided.
International Services Volunteer
Did you know that when you get involved with the American Red Cross, you become part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement with volunteers in nearly every country around the world working with their National Society? And, as part of the Movement, there are lots of opportunities to join people near and far to carry out humanitarian work. Whether it's through working as an International Services volunteer at the Alexandria Chapter, or through international relief projects such as preparing school chests or training in International Humanitarian Law, the Red Cross has many opportunities.
International Services Community Educator
Teach your Community about International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Social Services: Become a Community Educator. The American Red Cross provides courses and presentations to the public about IHL and other international issues. To become an IS Community Education, extensive training is required.
Volunteers provide the gift of companionship to homebound senior citizens living within the city of Alexandria. Friendly Visitors make regular one hour weekly visits, which may include activities such as reading, writing letters, playing cards or just talking. The chapter will provide volunteers with training and support. If you are interested in volunteering and/or would like more information, please contact Joan Moser, Volunteer Manager at MoserJ@usa.redcross.org or call the chapter at 703 549-8300, ext. 88527.
The Red Cross is in need of instructors who can teach CPR and First Aid, Pet First Aid, Babysitter's Training and a variety of other classes. Instructor courses can be taken at the Chapter. Help teach others the skills necessary to respond to an emergency. You can volunteer to teach classes during the day, at night and on weekends...whatever fits your schedule.
Volunteers are needed to help staff various special events throughout the year, i.e. Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival, Scottish Games, Alexandria Birthday Celebration. Advanced medical training is helpful, but not required. Advanced Red Cross First Aid and CPR skills are necessary. Training is available.
Help teach the public about the dangers of HIV and AIDS. Trained instructors are needed to provide HIV/AIDS prevention education information to the community. Presentations are given to community groups, local schools and to various businesses and organizations throughout Alexandria. Training is required and provided.
Assist with non-medical duties at the Chapter or various locations in Alexandria by registering, escorting donors, or serving refreshments The hours are flexible and training is provided.
Volunteers perform a variety of in-house support services, which can range from data entry, phone support and other administrative projects. This includes "Done in a Day" activities.
Volunteers help broadcast the Red Cross story to the community through their skills with photography, writing, public speaking, graphic design and other communication avenues.
Volunteers can also assist with various fundraising activities throughout the year.
Volunteers are needed to plan and organize seasonal or once-a-year events. Volunteers are also needed to work at the events. The Waterfront Festival is the Chapter's largest fundraising event of the year. It is a weekend long special event held each June featuring headline musical entertainment, crafts, Tall Ships, restaurants, health exhibits and all around family fun. Visit our Waterfront Festival link to get more information.
Adults are needed to help coordinate and supervise activities and service projects. Prefer persons with education, child development, or social work background. Must have prior experience working with youth (ages 6-12 and/or 13-17). Adult leaders act as positive role models for youth and encourage leadership and personal development. Help is especially needed for activities at night and on weekends.
The Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross offers programs for children and youth, ages 6-19. Two of our youth programs run year-round, the Inter-School Council (13-18 year olds) and the Junior Red Cross (6-12 year olds). During the school-year, students (13-19 years) are encouraged to volunteer at the Chapter to help with answering phones, office work, mailings, preparing materials for classes and computer data entry. The Summer program, Youth G.I.V.E. (Gaining Important Volunteer Experience) runs from late June through early August and offers many job opportunities for youth (13-19 years) to support the Red Cross in its mission to serve the community. There are no dues or fees to join these programs. If you would like to get involved, please contact ShankKri@usa.redcross.org or call Kristy Shank at 703-549-8300 ext 88510.