The American Red Cross is asking people to consider giving the gift of time this year and help people in need as a volunteer in Wyoming.

“Our volunteers make up 90% of our work force and are the beating heart and soul of the Red Cross,” said Janet Lewis, executive director of the Red Cross of Wyoming. “Their support is immeasurable. Their precious gift of time builds our capacity to help people in what can be their darkest hour.”

Depending on your interests, the Red Cross offers a variety of volunteer opportunities — from supporting a family after a fire in their home, helping a member of the military during an emergency, or helping us ensure blood is available for patients who need it.

As a proud member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe and a resident of Riverton, Carol Harper is deeply committed to strengthening both her tribal communities — the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone — and the broader Fremont County region.

Serving as the Red Cross of Wyoming’s relationship management disaster cycle services community partnership lead, Harper focuses on community outreach, engagement and education, with a special emphasis on building partnerships and expanding access to resources in underserved areas. She is currently training with the Disaster Action Team, recognizing the urgent need to build local response capacity in a county that has historically relied on responders from other parts of the state.

For Harper, volunteerism is not about recognition. It is about responsibility.

“There is comfort in knowing that when someone calls 911, help is on the way,” she said. “The Red Cross is that next layer of response. We all work together, and our communities need to understand that connection.”

Her advice to anyone considering volunteering is simple.

“Find the one thing you can do and do it well," Harper said. "Many people doing one thing is far better than one person trying to do everything.”

Volunteer programs:

The Disaster Action Team: Help families in your community after a home fire or other disaster. DAT team members provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.

Hero Care Caseworker: Support members of the military, their families and our veterans. Become a casework volunteer and help provide emergency communications and critical services to military families all over the world.

The need to help has never been greater. Join us to provide relief and hope when it matters most. Visit redcross.org/volunteer and get started today.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.