Support Red Cross Month - Volunteer!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anania Tekurio
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D., --  March is Red Cross Month and the Black Hills Area Chapter of the American Red Cross welcomes all to become a volunteer and help support their mission.

Volunteers make up more than 90 percent of the Black Hills Area Chapter workforce, aiding in responding to disasters, maintaining the facility, assisting with fundraising and supporting the overall operations of the chapter.

"We are always looking for people to become Red Cross volunteers," said Dan Kuecker, ARC Emergency Services director. "We especially look for military members because they are trained in operational environments and are adaptable."

The Black Hills Area Chapter has served the 38,000 square mile region of western South Dakota since 1917. Ninety-eight percent of all services and responses are done by volunteers.

Red Cross volunteers help people during some of the worst moments of their lives providing food, shelter and sometimes even a shoulder to cry on. During these crises, the efforts and support of these volunteers make a significant difference in our community, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

While materials are vital volunteers truly are the backbone of the Red Cross responding to about 70,000 natural and man-made disasters in the U.S. annually.

To find out how you can become a Red Cross volunteer in the Black Hills area, call (605) 342-4010 or visit www.blackhillsredcross.org.