Every day, the Polk County Chapter of the American Red Cross helps people in emergencies, whether it's hundreds of disaster victims or one sick child who needs blood. Our vital work is made possible by people just like you, who learn how good it can feel to lend a helping hand. Red Cross "everyday heroes" are all ages and come from all walks of life. Everyone has something special to offer... including you.

Click here to see ways you can help as a volunteer.

Think you're too busy? We can work with you to provide rewarding experiences, whatever your schedule. Think you don't have any skills to offer? You'd be surprised. And, if you need training, we'll provide it. We depend on volunteers, who constitute 90 percent of our total work force, to carry on our humanitarian work.

• Every year, we are there for hurricane, flood, and other disaster victims, including families forced from their homes by fire.
• Polk County residents turn to us to learn first aid, CPR, swimming, and other health and safety skills.
• Blood and blood products are collected throughout the yeaer.
• Volunteers serve as chairs, members of boards of directors, or on advisory boards for our Red Cross chapter, Blood Services Region, and military stations.